Mumbai : A 24‑year‑old man from Maharashtra, identified as Yogesh Nivas Chavan, has been arrested by the Kalyan Railway Crime Branch for stealing jewellery worth approximately ₹7 lakh aboard the Siddheshwar Express. The incident reportedly occurred between Solapur and Kalyan, targeting a passenger who had left her bag containing gold ornaments on a berth and fallen asleep .
Using CCTV footage reviewed from stations along the route, investigators traced the suspect to Chakan, Pune. Chavan reportedly confessed that he sold the stolen jewellery to fund his addiction to ‘Junglee Rummy’—an online rummy game. However, he lost all the proceeds on the platform .
He has admitted to multiple thefts and the police are further probing the scale of his crimes. Authorities have recovered all stolen jewellery and are continuing their investigation under Kalyan Railway Police supervision .
Background & Broader Context
This case adds to a growing national trend of individuals succumbing to online gaming and rummy addiction, resulting in desperate financial measures or mental health crises. Similar instances have been reported, including thefts, suicides, and suicides borne of gambling debt across India .
The explosion in online gambling has sparked wider concerns about mental health impacts and the need for tighter regulation of such platforms .
Why It Matters
The incident highlights the dangerous potential of online gambling addictions to propel otherwise law-abiding individuals into criminal activity.
It raises urgent policy questions around regulation, safeguarding vulnerable players, and the need for better financial and psychological support systems.
