12 September,2026 10:39 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ameesha Patel (Picture via X)
A 40-year-old domestic worker has been arrested by the Marine Drive Police for allegedly stealing a diamond-studded gold bangle worth around Rs 5 lakh from the residence of actress Ameesha Patel's mother, Asha Patel, in Mumbai. The accused has been identified as Seema Vinod Ghate, a resident of Virar.
According to a report by the Free Press Journal, Ghate had been working as a domestic help at Asha's residence for around one-and-a-half years. The alleged theft reportedly took place in January 2026, when the bangle went missing from the house.
Asha reportedly suspected Ghate's involvement in the incident and, over the following five to six months, allegedly asked her to admit to the theft and return the jewellery. However, the bangle was not returned, following which Asha approached the Marine Drive Police and lodged a complaint.
Based on her complaint, the police registered an FIR under Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The case was initially registered against an unidentified woman. The Crime Detection Team subsequently began investigating the matter and traced the domestic worker to Virar.
The police team, working under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Jitendra Kadam and Police Inspector Vhatkar, took Ghate into custody. She was subsequently produced before a court, which remanded her to police custody until September 15.
The stolen bangle has not yet been recovered, according to the report. Police are currently investigating its whereabouts and are also checking whether the accused has any previous criminal record.
The investigation is being conducted by Assistant Police Inspector Pradeep Chaudhary along with the Marine Drive Police Crime Detection Team.
The alleged theft comes months after the jewellery reportedly went missing from Asha's residence. While she had allegedly suspected the domestic worker's involvement, the matter was formally brought to the police only after the bangle was not returned despite repeated requests.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against Ghate are yet to be established in court. The police are now focusing on recovering the allegedly stolen jewellery and gathering further evidence as part of the probe.
The incident has also brought attention to the challenges faced by households in keeping track of valuables when domestic staff have access to residences. For now, the police are continuing their investigation into the alleged theft and the whereabouts of the Rs 5 lakh diamond-studded gold bangle.
