Sangeeta Bijlani discovers extensive damage and theft at her Lonavala property after a four-month absence.
Bollywood actress Sangeeta Bijlani was left shocked after discovering that her farmhouse in Maval, Pune district, had been broken into and vandalised during her prolonged absence. The incident came to light on Friday when the 65-year-old actress visited her property in Tikona village near Pawna Dam for the first time in four months.
The farmhouse, which is also connected to former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin, bore clear signs of forced entry and deliberate vandalism. According to Bijlani's complaint filed with the Pune Rural Police, intruders had broken the main door and damaged window grills to gain access to the property.
"Today, I visited the farmhouse along with two of my maid servants. Upon arrival, I was shocked to discover that the main door had been broken," Bijlani stated in her formal complaint to Pune Rural Superintendent of Police Sandip Singh Gill.
The extent of the damage was substantial. One television set was reported missing, while another was found broken. The upper floor of the farmhouse was completely ransacked, with all beds destroyed and numerous household items either stolen or vandalised. The perpetrators also damaged CCTV equipment and household appliances, including a refrigerator.
Bijlani explained in her complaint that she had been unable to visit the property due to her father's deteriorating health condition, which had kept her away for an extended period. This absence appears to have provided the opportunity for the break-in to occur undetected.
The theft is estimated to have caused losses of approximately ₹57,000, including ₹50,000 in cash and various household items. The burglars gained entry by cutting through the wire mesh of the rear compound wall before climbing to the first-floor gallery and forcing open the window grills.
Mohammad Mujib Khan, a 54-year-old personal assistant to Azharuddin and resident of Sambhajinagar, filed the official complaint on behalf of the family. The complaint indicates that the theft likely occurred sometime between March 7 and July 18, 2025, when the bungalow remained unoccupied.
Lonavala Police Station's Senior Inspector Dinesh Tayde confirmed that a specialised team has been dispatched to assess the crime scene. "We will register an offence once the assessment of the damage and theft is completed," Tayde told reporters.
The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections related to house-breaking, theft, and mischief. Police are currently examining CCTV footage from the surrounding area and collecting forensic evidence to identify the perpetrators.
This incident highlights growing security concerns for celebrity properties, particularly those in remote or less-monitored locations. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to trace the absconding miscreants responsible for the break-in and vandalism.
Sangeeta Bijlani, known for her roles in Bollywood films during the 1980s and 1990s, was last seen on screen in the 1996 film 'Jagannath'. She recently celebrated her 65th birthday with close friends, including actor Salman Khan, in Mumbai.
