World · India Bureau
Burqa-clad woman arrested for series of retail thefts in Uttar Pradesh
Police in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, have launched a manhunt for a woman and her accomplice after CCTV footage revealed a pattern of thefts from retail shops. The suspect, who wore a burqa while posing as a customer, allegedly stole jewelry and clothing from multiple stores.
LSN India ·

Authorities in Nagina, a town in Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh, are investigating a series of thefts targeting local retailers. Police have obtained CCTV recordings from at least two separate shops showing a woman in a burqa entering the stores as a customer before allegedly making off with merchandise.
According to complaints filed with police, the suspect stole an artificial bridal necklace from one store and a salwar-suit from another. The burqa and niqab worn by the woman were apparently used to conceal her identity and facilitate the thefts without raising immediate suspicion.
Shop owners have provided police with formal written complaints along with CCTV footage documenting the incidents. The video evidence shows the woman's movements inside the stores, establishing a clear pattern of suspicious behavior. Investigators are also seeking to identify a male accomplice believed to be working with the suspect.
Police said they are analyzing the surveillance material to identify both the woman and her associate. Officials have urged residents with relevant information to come forward, and enhanced patrols have been increased in the commercial areas of Nagina to prevent further incidents.