A Class 9 student from southwest Delhi’s Najafgarh has been detained for allegedly stealing gold from his mother to buy an iPhone for his girlfriend.
The boy reportedly sold several pieces of gold jewellery—an earring, a ring, and a chain—to goldsmiths in Kakrola, using the proceeds to purchase the high-end phone valued at ₹50,000.
The theft was initially reported by the boy’s mother, who discovered the jewellery missing and suspected an unknown intruder. Despite checking CCTV footage and interviewing neighbours, police found no evidence of external involvement. Attention then turned to family members, and the son, who had been missing during the investigation, was identified through a tip-off and apprehended near his home.
The boy initially denied his role but later admitted to the crime, confessing that he sold the gold to finance the expensive gift for his girlfriend. A 40-year-old goldsmith, Kamal Verma was arrested for selling some of the stolen items. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh, the boy took the drastic step after his mother refused to give him money for the gift, advising him to focus on his studies instead.
The ongoing investigation examines the broader implications of the incident and the boy’s motivations, raising concerns about the influence of relationships on juvenile behaviour.