According to police, the case came to light on December 5, 2025, when Ahmed Kathiri (46), the branch manager of the private bank, found a small purse under a chair at the bank. When he opened it, he found gold jewellery weighing 1,156.50 grams, valued at Rs 1.34 crore.

Initially, the bank officials suspected that a woman in a burqa, who had visited the bank earlier that day, might have accidentally dropped the purse. However, even after waiting for five days, no one came forward to claim the valuables. Following this, the manager lodged a complaint with the Central Crime Branch.

During investigation, the police discovered that Padmapriya, a former locker in-charge at the same bank, was previously arrested and later released on bail for stealing 246.49 grams of gold from another customer's locker. While out on bail, she secretly returned the 1,156.50 grams of gold to the bank without anyone's knowledge, the police found.

Following this revelation, a police team led by the CCB Assistant Commissioner of Police (EDF-III) launched a manhunt for Padmapriya, who had gone underground by then. She was finally arrested on April 2. She was produced before a court the same day and remanded in judicial custody as per court orders.