Delhi: Domestic help arrested for robbery worth Rs 86 lakh

The Delhi Police have arrested a 40-year-old domestic worker for allegedly stealing gold jewellery and cash worth approximately Rs 86 lakh from his employer’s residence in south Delhi, an official confirmed on Saturday.

The accused, identified as Nirmal Malik, hailing from Balasore in Odisha, was hired just 12 days before the theft. He took advantage of his employer’s absence during a Christmas vacation in Goa last year to carry out the crime.

According to the police, Malik had carefully planned the theft, conducting a recce of the house before breaking into the locker with the help of an associate, Dharmendra Dass, who was arrested on 12 March.

“The theft occurred on December 26, 2024, while the employer was away. A PCR call reporting a house break-in was received at Defence Colony Police Station, following which a case was registered under Section 306 (theft by servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” said a senior police officer.

The complaint was lodged by an acquaintance of the house owner, who reported the theft of gold jewellery and cash.

During the investigation, police discovered that Malik had been employed on December 14, 2024. He disappeared after the incident, and his phone was found switched off, raising suspicions.

Technical surveillance and analysis of his call detail records traced Malik’s last known location to Chirag, Delhi. Further investigation revealed that he had fled to his native village in Odisha.

A police team was dispatched to Balasore, where local assistance led to the detention of his associate, Dharmendra Dass alias Raja, from the Ishwarpur area.

Subsequent raids in Malik’s village led to the recovery of a substantial quantity of stolen valuables from his wife, including five gold ear tops, six gold earrings, six gold bangles, one gold ear piece, one gold necklace, one gold bracelet, one motimala (pearl necklace), twelve silver items, and Rs 6 lakh in cash. She has been bound down in connection with the case.

Based on her statement, further stolen items were recovered from Prabhakar Sahu, a goldsmith who had received part of the stolen jewellery.

Later, police received information that Malik had moved to Bengaluru, Karnataka, where he was working as a cook in a residential society in Peenya. A trap was laid, and he was apprehended.

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Malik’s wife, the goldsmith Prabhakar Sahu, and another accomplice, Ratiranjan Malik—who helped dispose of the stolen items—have all been bound down under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

(With inputs from PTI)