Why did the Mazagaon court close the 1977 theft case?

The court closed the 1977 case to clear legacy disputes where defendants were deceased, anonymous, or lost, and the case had remained pending without progress for nearly 50 years.

What was stolen in the 1977 Mumbai theft case?

The 1977 case involved the theft of ₹7.65, a small amount at the time, and two anonymous suspects who were never apprehended.

How are Indian courts clearing old cases like the 1977 theft?

Courts are clearing old cases by closing dormant proceedings where defendants are untraceable or deceased, and by utilizing provisions for expedited hearings for petty crimes.

Home / Crime and Justice / 50-Year-Old Theft Case Closed: Rs 7.65 Mystery Solved

50-Year-Old Theft Case Closed: Rs 7.65 Mystery Solved

18 Jan

•

Summary

A 49-year-old theft case involving ₹7.65 was closed by a Mumbai court.
Two anonymous suspects in the 1977 case were never apprehended.
The court cited the need to clear legacy disputes and judicial backlog.

50-Year-Old Theft Case Closed: Rs 7.65 Mystery Solved

In a significant move to clear judicial backlogs, a Mumbai court has officially closed a 49-year-old theft case dating back to 1977. The case, involving a theft of ₹7.65 and two anonymous suspects, had remained dormant for decades. Arrest warrants were repeatedly issued, but the individuals were never located, forcing the proceedings into an indefinite suspension.

Presiding at the Mazagaon court on January 14, 2026, Judicial Magistrate First Class Aarti Kulkarni observed that the file was nearly half a century old and had been pending without any progress. The court deemed it unnecessary to keep the matter active any longer. Consequently, the two suspects charged under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code were exonerated.

The court ordered the recovered ₹7.65 to be restored to the victim, noting that if the informant is not found, the amount will be deposited into the government account. This case, involving a sum below ₹2,000, was categorized for a brief hearing under Section 260 of the Criminal Procedure Code to ensure rapid resolution of petty crimes.