Domestic worker held near Nepal border in Rs 60-lakh theft case in Delhi

A 22-year-old domestic worker was apprehended near the Nepal border in Bihar after allegedly fleeing with jewellery and silver items worth around Rs 60 lakh from a house in west Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh, Delhi police said on Thursday.

The accused, identified as Shashikant, a resident of Bihar’s Supaul, had joined the complainant’s household just a day before the theft, police said.

A PCR call regarding the theft was received at the Punjabi Bagh police station on August 21. During inquiry, the complainant alleged that Shashikant had stolen jewellery worth around Rs 60 lakh from his house in Punjabi Bagh Extension and fled.

A case under the relevant section of the BNS was registered, and a team was formed to trace the accused.

Police said CCTV footage was analysed to track the accused’s route after the theft. Call detail records, mobile tower locations and technical surveillance subsequently led investigators to Belahi village.

A police team reached Bihar and, with the assistance of local police, conducted a raid at the village. However, Shashikant managed to flee after becoming aware of the police operation, officials said.

Local enquiries indicated that he could be attempting to cross into Nepal. Further technical surveillance helped police trace him near the Kunauli border, where he was subsequently apprehended.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that he had hidden the stolen jewellery and other valuables in a trunk at his residence. Police took him to his house in Belahi village, where the stolen property was recovered at his instance, officials said.

The recovered items include around 450 grams of silver in the form of plates and coins, three diamond chains, a gold chain, a diamond set, a diamond ring, five diamond lockets, two wrist watches and a diamond earring, according to police.

The total value of the recovered property is estimated at around Rs 60 lakh, police said. Further investigation is underway.