2 persons held in Tanishq gold heist in Madurai; main accused still at large, say police

Police personnel conducting inquiry at the Tanishq showroom. | Photo Credit: G. MOORTHY The Madurai City Police on Saturday evening said they have solved Thursday’s gold heist at the Tanishq jewellery showroom on Bypass Road, with the arrest of two accused and recovery of around 5 kg of gold.The arrested accused were identified as Meenakshi, a social media influencer, and Suresh, an autorickshaw driver and father of the prime accused, Nishanth. They were charged with connivance in the heist in which 10 kg of gold and one kg of diamond jewellery were stolen. “We have solved the case and only the arrest of the main accused and recovery of the rest of the looted items from the showroom remain,” said Madurai City Commissioner of Police, S. Rajendiran.He said the involvement of more persons would be known only after the arrest of Nishanth.The police had cracked the sensational gold heist case with help of CCTV footage from the showroom and other parts of the city. According to the police, on Thursday morning, Nishanth had reached the terrace of the newly-inaugurated showroom by scaling the scaffolding, which had been left at the building to complete the remaining construction work. He later gained access to the showroom through the lift shaft. He collected some of the gold and diamond jewellery on display at the showroom and fled the scene.The Commissioner said both Meenakshi and Suresh had knowledge of Nishanth’s involvement in the burglary. “Suresh received the bag containing gold from Nishanth, who was fleeing on the bike after the burglary. The father kept the stolen jewellery at his house in Palanganatham. We found his son’s shoes and gloves at his house,” Mr. Rajendiran said.The next day, Nishanth had collected the bag at home and left. However, he informed Meenakshi about the place where he had hidden a portion of the jewellery.Three special teams of the police, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police A.G. Inigo Thivyan, cracked the case in less than 48 hours. Published - November 15, 2026 12:47 am IST