The Mount Mary Festival (Bandra Fair) began on Sunday, drawing more than 17,000 devotees. However, the celebrations were marred by thefts, as gangs from Gujarat, Pune, and Mumbai targeted devotees, stealing valuables amounting to lakhs of rupees, including gold chains, wallets, and mobile phones.

On the first day of the fair, around 12 people were caught pickpocketing. According to Bandra police officers, the festival — celebrated for more than 300 years — attracts thousands of devotees every year who gather to honour tradition. To curb thefts, a special squad was deployed to maintain strict vigil at the fair.