Mumbai : In a significant breach of internal security at one of India’s premier cricketing institutions, a senior security official has been arrested for allegedly stealing IPL 2025 jerseys worth ₹6.52 lakh from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office located within Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
The accused, Farooque Aslam Khan, 43, was working as the security manager for the BCCI premises when he reportedly misused his access to steal 261 official IPL jerseys from the merchandise storage area on June 13, 2025. The theft came to light only in mid-July during a routine inventory audit, following which the BCCI filed a formal complaint at the Marine Drive Police Station on July 17.
CCTV Footage Uncovers Internal Breach
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage, which revealed Khan removing a large carton from the merchandise room on the second floor of the Wankhede Stadium. After tracking his movements, police detained him and launched a deeper probe into the disappearance of the branded apparel.
During interrogation, Khan admitted to the theft and confessed that he sold the jerseys to an online dealer based in Haryana. He claimed he contacted the buyer via social media and falsely presented the merchandise as surplus stock being cleared during renovation work.
Only Partial Recovery So Far
Authorities have thus far managed to recover 50 of the 261 stolen jerseys. Efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining items, some of which may have already been sold to customers unaware of their illicit origin.
The total value of the stolen merchandise was estimated at ₹6.52 lakh, comprising jerseys from several IPL 2025 teams, including official kits from high-profile franchises.
Gambling Addiction Cited as Motive
In a startling revelation, Khan informed police that he used the proceeds from the sale to fund his online gambling addiction. While he claimed to have lost the entire amount on betting platforms, police are verifying his financial records to confirm the transactions.
A senior official involved in the investigation said, “We are tracing the money trail and analyzing his bank account activity. Initial findings suggest a pattern of frequent transactions on betting websites.”
Security Practices Under Review
The incident has raised serious concerns about internal checks and security procedures within the BCCI’s administrative offices. Sources within the cricket board said that a comprehensive review of access protocols, inventory auditing systems, and personnel background checks is already underway.
While Khan has been released on bail, he remains under investigation, and police have not ruled out the possibility of accomplices or repeat offenses. Legal proceedings are expected to follow once all evidence has been gathered.
BCCI Yet to Issue Official Statement
As of publication, the BCCI has not released an official comment on the matter. However, officials privately acknowledged that the theft represents a serious reputational concern, particularly given the scale and timing, just months ahead of the IPL 2025 season.
The Mumbai police, meanwhile, continue their investigation with the aim of recovering the remaining stolen jerseys and establishing whether the crime was part of a broader pattern of internal lapses.
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