Big gold heist at Tanishq jewelery showroom in Madurai

The showroom was only opened a few weeks ago and construction work was still going on, including wiring. | Photo credit: G. Moorthy

In a major gold heist, a lone masked man looted around 15 kg of gold and 3 kg of diamond ornaments which were on display at the newly opened TATA Tanishq jewelery showroom on Bypass Road in Madurai on Wednesday evening.

The robbery only came to light after employees reported for duty on Thursday morning.

Senior police officers, including Commissioner of Police S. Rajendiran, rushed to the scene.

The showroom had only been opened a few weeks ago and construction work was still underway, including wiring, plumbing and the installation of a lift, the commissioner said.

Closed-circuit television cameras installed in the three-story showroom building showed a lone masked man picking up ornaments displayed on the first floor of the building and carrying them away. The man, who also wore gloves, did not drill a hole in the wall or pick any locks. Police suspect he may have climbed onto the building’s terrace using scaffolding that was still up and entered an empty shaft where the elevator installation was unfinished.

Police suspect he may have opened an elevator floor gate and entered the showroom as well as exited the locked building in the same manner.

The police questioned the employees of the showroom and also compiled a list of construction workers who worked at the location.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), AG Inigo Thivyan, said three special teams, led by as many Assistant Commissioners, had been formed to track down the culprit.

Published – 12 Nov 2026 16:01 IST