By: Express News ServiceChandigarh | November 9, 2025 08:55 AM IST 3 min readAs per complainant, the stolen purse contained approximately seventeen tolas of gold jewellery along with some cash. (File Photo)Thieves stole a purse of a woman containing gold ornaments worth around Rs 18 lakh, during a marriage ceremony held at a hotel in Sector 35, Chandigarh on the night of Friday. Police have scrutinised the CCTV footage of the hotel, and traced a person taking away the woman’s purse.According to the police, the incident occurred around 12.30 am, on Friday night while the wedding rituals were underway in the hotel’s outdoor lawn area.According to the complainant, Dr Nikhil Sethi, cousin of the bride, the bride’s parents had kept a purse filled with gold ornaments near the wedding mandap. They had momentarily stepped aside to meet relatives when two unidentified men, dressed in formal suits like other guests, reached the spot and cleverly fled with the purse.The entire act was captured on the hotel’s CCTV cameras. The footage showed one of the accused talking on his phone while walking out of the hotel premises. The security guard stationed at the entrance even lifted a barricade to let him pass, mistaking him for a guest. A few seconds later, his accomplice followed, walking casually with a coat draped over his shoulder — hiding the stolen purse beneath it.Police investigations later revealed that the duo had roamed inside the hotel for nearly two and a half hours before committing the theft, moving freely among guests without arousing any suspicion.As per complainant, the stolen purse contained approximately seventeen tolas of gold jewellery along with some cash.The ornaments included a necklace, two bangles, a pair of gold earrings, a gold ring, and two gold coins, weighing around 170 grams of gold. These items were intended for the bride to wear during various wedding rituals. The victim’s family has accused the hotel management and its security team of serious negligence.Story continues below this adThe complainant has alleged that despite being informed about the theft, the staff delayed action for nearly half an hour. It was only after the police were called that the hotel took the matter seriously.Soon after being informed, a team from the Sector 36 police station reached the spot and began the investigation. The police have seized all CCTV footage from the hotel and registered a case against two unidentified persons.According to the police, the suspects are being identified based on the footage, and special police teams have been deployed to trace them. The police are also questioning the hotel staff to determine whether there was any internal assistance involved in the crime.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:chandigarh