Diwali Declutter Gone Wrong: Faridabad Man Sells Gold As Scrap, Dealer Returns It After 4 Months

Last Updated:February 20, 2026, 06:38 IST

When the family approached the scrap dealer soon after discovering the loss, the jewellery could not be found despite searches. 

A scrap dealer in Faridabad won praise after returning a packet of gold jewellery worth around Rs 15 lakh that he discovered months after unknowingly buying it along with discarded household scrap. The packet, containing about 100 grams of gold jewellery, belonged to Ashok Sharma, who had mistakenly sold it during a Diwali clean-up.

The gold was formally handed over to Ashok Sharma at the office of ACP Ballabhgarh.

Ashok Sharma said his family had packed their gold ornaments in a box and placed it inside a sack before leaving for the Kumbh Mela last year, hoping to keep the valuables safe from theft. However, during Diwali cleaning later in the year, the sack was mistakenly treated as junk and sold to a scrap dealer.

“We had kept the gold safely before leaving for the Kumbh Mela. During Diwali cleaning, it was accidentally sold with scrap. We realised our mistake later and were very upset," Ashok Sharma said.

When the family approached the scrap dealer soon after discovering the loss, the jewellery could not be found despite searches. Disappointed, they returned home fearing the gold was lost forever.

Nearly four months later, scrap dealer Haji Akhtar Khan found the gold wrapped in paper while sorting through accumulated scrap. Instead of keeping it, Khan immediately approached the police and handed over the jewellery.

“After finding the gold, I felt it was my responsibility to return it to its rightful owner. My entire family supported this decision," Khan said.

Police then returned the gold to Ashok Sharma at the ACP’s office.

ACP Jitesh Malhotra praised Khan’s integrity, saying, “This incident shows that honesty is still alive. At the same time, people should be careful with their valuables."

News india Diwali Declutter Gone Wrong: Faridabad Man Sells Gold As Scrap, Dealer Returns It After 4 Months

Read More