Mangaluru: Airport staff held for gold theft from passenger’s baggage

Mangaluru: Airport staff held for gold theft from passenger’s baggage

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 2, 2025: In a major insider theft case at Mangaluru International Airport, four baggage handling staff of Air India SATS have been arrested for stealing 56 grams of gold jewellery from a woman passenger’s luggage. A fifth man, who purchased the stolen ornaments, has also been nabbed.

The theft was reported on August 30 after a passenger arriving from Bengaluru found her jewellery worth ₹4.5 lakh missing and lodged a complaint at Bajpe police station. Acting swiftly, police traced the culprits—identified as Nithin (Kandavara), Sadananda and Rajesh (Mooduperar), and Praveen Fernandes (Bajpe). The accused confessed to selling the jewellery to Raviraj of Mooduperar, who was also arrested. Police have recovered about 50 grams of gold valued at ₹5 lakh.

Investigations revealed the group was involved in an earlier case in January, when ₹2 lakh in cash was stolen from a passenger’s baggage. Four of the accused have been working with Air India SATS for nearly nine years.

Police said the accused targeted bags with weak locks or simple password codes. Authorities have urged passengers not to keep gold, cash, or valuables in checked baggage. Security has been tightened at baggage handling areas, officials added.