LUCKNOW, May 29 -- A trusted employee who had worked for 17 years at a jewellery showroom in Hardoi allegedly stole 19 kilograms of gold worth Rs.17 crore over a span of five years. The theft went undetected until the owner reviewed footage from 42 CCTV cameras and scrutinised the movements of 40 staff members, eventually uncovering the long-running inside job.

According to police, the case came to light after showroom owner Shivam Kapoor, a prominent bullion trader in Hardoi, lodged a complaint at the Hardoi City Kotwali police station on May 23. The accused, Bal Krishna Pandey, had joined the establishment in 2008 and gradually became one of the most trusted employees over the years.

According to Hardoi additional superintendent of po...