Police in Mumbai have force fed a thief more than 40 bananas in a bid to retrieve a stolen gold chain which he had swallowed.

The 25-year-old thief is reported to have snatched the chain from a woman at the Ghatkopar east fish market.

The thief was caught by crowds who handed him to the police.

Attempting to hide his crime, the thief swallowed the chain, and subsequently denied stealing it.

However, x-rays clearly revealed the chain.

According to Mumbai police Senior Inspector Shankar Dhanavade who spoke to AFP, ‘He was fed more than 40 bananas throughout the day.

‘Eventually the chain was found. We made him wash and disinfect it.’