2 min readApr 6, 2026 09:34 PM IST
A theft at the official residence of Madhya Pradesh Sports Minister Vishvas Sarang in Bhopal has raised fresh concerns about security in one of the city’s most protected zones, after intruders broke into a store room and escaped with six trophies, police said.
The incident took place on the night of April 2 and came to light the following morning, when security personnel noticed that the storeroom lock had been broken. Officials said the room did not have CCTV surveillance.
A formal complaint was lodged on April 6 at TT Nagar police station by the minister’s personal assistant, Pravin Saxena. Confirming the case, station in-charge Gaurav Singh Dohar said investigators are scanning footage from nearby cameras to identify suspects. Police said the accused targeted a storage area located outside the main residence, suggesting prior reconnaissance. The absence of on-site surveillance has complicated the investigation, forcing officers to rely on peripheral CCTV footage from surrounding areas.
“The store room contained some shields which we are told are mementoes. We have formed a team and are on the lookout for the accused. There was no CCTV in that particular area,” Dohar said.
An FIR has been registered against unidentified persons, and a special investigation team has been formed. Sub-inspector Raghvendra Sikarwar, who is leading the probe, said the case is being examined from multiple angles.
High-security enclaves in the state capital, including the 74 Bungalows and Char Imli areas, have witnessed similar cases in recent years. In August 2024, burglars stole cash and jewellery from the residence of Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh, son of former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, in the Char Imli area. In December 2020, thieves attempted to cut and steal sandalwood trees from the bungalow of then PWD minister Gopal Bhargava in the 74 Bungalows zone.
Masked intruders attempted a robbery at Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari’s Indore residence in the Bijalpur area late on September 5, 2025. Over five masked men cut the power, disabled CCTV, and ransacked his office for over two hours, but reportedly left empty-handed.
