Madurai Tanishq heist: Two arrested, including a woman; hunt on for prime suspect

In a breakthrough in the multi-crore Madurai Tanishq jewellery heist, police on Saturday arrested two people, including a woman, and recovered gold jewellery. A special team is tracking a possible prime suspect, Nishanth, who is on the run.

The arrested are Suresh and Meenakshi, according to police sources. Police suspect Meenakshi, said to be an influencer, was in touch with Nishanth after the robbery and are probing whether she helped him dispose of the jewellery or provided logistical support. It is not clear how Suresh is involved in the crime.

Investigators believe the two knew each other and are examining their association. Police sources said Nishanth’s last known mobile location was traced to Tiruppur, where he is suspected to have obtained a phone from an unidentified person and used it to contact Meenakshi.

Also Read: Madurai Tanishq heist: How a burglar walked away with 15 kg of gold with no trace

CCTV footage from the showroom proved crucial in identifying the suspect. Investigators found that Nishanth had visited the Tanishq showroom on Madurai Bypass Road before the robbery, posing as a customer and observing its operations. An employee recalled a suspicious young man visiting the store and later identified Nishanth from the footage, a police source said. On Nov 5, the suspect allegedly attempted the burglary but failed as he lacked the tools to break in, the officer added.

The heist took place in the early hours of November 12, when a masked intruder allegedly scaled scaffolding at the rear of the newly opened but unfinished showroom. He is suspected to have entered through the lift maintenance area, avoiding the main entrance, emptied the display cases and packed the jewellery into a large wheeled trolley bag. The showroom had no dedicated vault or safe, which is believed to have left the display stock vulnerable.