In a major breakthrough, Gamdevi Police have arrested a domestic helper from Odisha for allegedly stealing gold and silver-plated trophies worth Rs15.40 lakh from the Breach Candy residence of a 59-year-old advertising and film director.
The accused has been identified as Rajendra Benudhara Jena (42). He was tracked down and taken into custody from Odisha following a sustained investigation by the Mumbai Police.
The complainant, Shiven Surendranath, an advertising filmmaker, has been residing at the Field Estate Compound in Breach Candy for the past 12 years. He is the owner of Diamond Band Racing Syndicate Pvt. Ltd., a member of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), and owns several racehorses stationed at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
Police said Jena had been employed as a domestic helper for five years and had been staying full-time inside the complainant’s 2BHK flat for the last six months. During this period, he had unrestricted access to all rooms, cabinets, and storage areas of the house.
On November 23, 2025, at around 2 am, Jena suddenly left the residence citing a personal emergency and claimed he would return within a few days. However, he soon stopped answering phone calls and went missing.
Suspicious of his disappearance, Surendranath conducted a detailed check of his belongings on January 2, 2026, and discovered that several gold and silver trophies were missing from the house.
The stolen trophies represent nearly two decades of horse racing achievements dating back to 2006. They had been stored in display cabinets, drawers, and storage boxes across the residence. Among the missing items are prestigious awards such as the Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy Trophy, Allah Rakkha Trophy, Indian Derby (Gr.1) Trophy, Chief Minister’s Trophy, Mayor’s Trophy, and several other racing accolades.
Following the complaint, Gamdevi Police registered a theft case and traced the accused using his permanent address. With assistance from local police in Odisha, Jena was arrested and brought into custody.
Police have initiated efforts to recover the stolen trophies, though investigators suspect that some of the items may have already been sold or melted down. Further investigation is underway.
