Real-Life ‘Bunty Aur Babli’: Teen Duo Arrested for ₹16 Lakh Jewellery Heist in Indore

New Delhi, December 26, 2025: In a case that mirrors a Bollywood script, Indore police have arrested two 18-year-olds for a daring jewellery heist worth ₹16.17 lakh. The duo, inspired by the 2005 con-artist film Bunty Aur Babli, was apprehended following a high-stakes investigation that spanned multiple cities.

The incident, which took place on the night of December 22, 2025, at Shri Jewellers in the Silicon City area, gained viral attention after CCTV footage surfaced showing the cinematic nature of the crime.

The Heist and the “AI Connection”

The investigation revealed a modern twist to a classic crime story. One of the accused, identified as Priyanshu, worked as a part-time graphic designer. During interrogation, he claimed that his life took a downward spiral after he lost his job to Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools adopted by his IT firm.

Struggling to make ends meet and coming from an economically weak background, Priyanshu teamed up with his childhood friend, Arya, a medical aspirant currently preparing for the NEET exam. Together, they watched the film Bunty Aur Babli and decided to replicate its “easy money” allure to solve their financial woes.

How the Crime Unfolded

• The Entry: CCTV footage showed Priyanshu entering the jewellery shop through the roof in the dead of night.
• The Loot: The duo made off with a significant collection of gold, silver, and diamond ornaments.
• The Escape: Immediately after the theft, the pair fled Indore and went into hiding in Bhopal.

Why the Plan Failed

Despite their careful planning, the young “cons” hit a roadblock when trying to sell the stolen goods. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shrikrishna Lalchandani, potential buyers became suspicious because of the duo’s young age.

Recovery and Arrest

Indore police used a combination of technical surveillance and ground-level intelligence to track the duo to Bhopal. In a successful raid, the police recovered the entire stolen booty worth over ₹16 lakh and brought the teens back to Indore to face charges.

The police are currently investigating if the duo was involved in any other criminal activities. This case has sparked a wider conversation on social media regarding the impact of job displacement due to automation and the influence of cinema on impressionable minds.