From Topper To Thief? The Unbelievable Story Of An Engineering Graduate's Arrest In Pune

By Prashant for PuneriPages.in

He topped his engineering class back in Karnataka. The kind of student who probably had relatives bragging about him during family gatherings, teachers quoting him as an example, and classmates envying his spotless academic streak.

So how did he end up in police custody in Pune, caught on CCTV stealing jewellery in Budhwar Peth?

Let’s break this down—not just the theft, but the whole bizarre spiral.

The Theft That Made Headlines

This wasn’t your high-tech heist with gadgets and planning. It was quick, almost desperate.

A local jeweller in Budhwar Peth noticed a few items missing. Suspicion led to reviewing CCTV footage. That’s when they spotted him—the engineering topper. Calm, composed, and clearly not new to navigating spaces.

Police acted quickly, traced him using that footage, and arrested him. The missing jewellery was recovered. But that’s just the surface. What’s going on beneath?

The Mind-Bending Question: Why?

This guy isn’t your everyday pickpocket. He’s someone who’s cracked competitive exams. Sat through endless hours of thermodynamics and circuits. And yet, here he is.

Police are now trying to piece together what led to this moment. Possible reasons being:

Debt or Financial Pressure? Did he owe someone? Was he jobless?
Addiction? Gambling, substance abuse? These things sneak up on anyone.
Mental Health or Stress? Maybe life post-graduation didn’t match the expectations everyone had for him.
Thrill-Seeking? Was it just about doing something radically off-track?

Of course, these are just theories. The actual reason might be messier, more personal, and harder to label.

The Chase: How Cops Caught Him

Full credit to Pune Police here. This wasn’t just luck—it was quick, methodical police work.

Using CCTV footage, they managed to match his movements, track him down, and recover the stolen items in record time. The jeweller’s sharp eye also played a huge role. Goes to show, even in a city as chaotic as Pune, vigilance still matters.

A Bigger Picture: The Pressure We Don’t Talk About

This story hit me hard—not because of the crime, but the person behind it. How does someone go from top of the class to bottom of the newsfeed?

India produces thousands of engineers every year. But not everyone lands a dream job. Not everyone finds clarity after their degrees. And not everyone gets the help they need when life starts to unravel.

Maybe this isn’t just a story of crime. Maybe it’s a story of expectations. Of not being able to ask for help. Of silence until it explodes into something shocking.