IAS ambition, KBC dreams and mounting debts; UPSC aspirant arrested in Mumbai jewellery theft

MUMBAI: An ambition to become an IAS officer, preparations for the UPSC examination and a dream of appearing on the popular television quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati — 42-year-old Satish Kumar Krishnaprasad Kesari had tried his luck in several avenues but failed to achieve his ambitions. With mounting debts following losses in his business venture, he allegedly turned to theft to repay his loans. The UPSC aspirant, who stole a gold chain worth Rs 5 lakh from a jewellery store in Mumbai and remained on the run for nearly a year, was arrested by Mumbai police in Delhi on October 28.

A native of Bihar, Satish was residing in Uttam Nagar, Delhi. A computer science graduate, he had moved to the national capital with the ambition of becoming an IAS officer. He pursued his goal by preparing for the UPSC examination while working part-time, but his attempts were unsuccessful.

He subsequently tried his luck on the popular television quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), hoping to make it to the hot seat. He was among the 10 contestants selected for the show's final episode in Season 8. However, he failed to get past the 'Fastest Finger First' round, leaving that ambition unfulfilled as well.

He later started a tours and travel business with his wife. The couple took loans to purchase four to five vehicles and registered them with online taxi platforms such as Ola and Uber. However, the venture suffered losses, leaving him with mounting debts.

With his financial liabilities continuing to grow, Satish allegedly turned to theft as a means of repaying the loans. According to the police, he would visit jewellery shops posing as a customer, ask to see ornaments and flee with them when an opportunity arose.

On November 15, 2025, he allegedly stole a gold chain weighing 43.2 grams from Padmavati Jewellers on Mathuradas Road in Kandivali West, Mumbai. Posing as a prospective buyer, he asked to see the ornament before fleeing with it. The chain was valued at approximately Rs 5 lakh.

To evade the police, Satish allegedly furnished false Aadhaar details at a hostel where he was staying in Mumbai. He also switched off the mobile phone number he had provided, making it difficult for investigators to trace him. He remained untraced for nearly a year.

The Kandivali police continued their investigation by examining CCTV footage and other technical evidence. The breakthrough came when investigators traced an active mobile number linked to the accused. Following further investigation, a police team arrested him in Delhi on October 28, 2026. The stolen gold chain was also recovered.

During interrogation, Satish reportedly admitted to committing a similar theft in Mumbai's Dindoshi area, apart from the Kandivali incident, police said. He is currently in police custody, and further investigation is under way into the Dindoshi theft.