New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested a domestic help for allegedly stealing ₹40 lakh in cash from a residence in West Delhi’s Punjabi Bagh area, officials said on Thursday. The accused had been employed at the house for barely two weeks before the theft took place.
According to police, the man was hired to look after the elderly father of the house owner. A complaint was received on November 29, following which an FIR was registered on November 30 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from inside the house and nearby locations. Initial footage showed the accused, identified as Dhruv, leaving the house without carrying anything suspicious. However, further analysis of cameras installed in surrounding areas revealed that he was later seen moving around with two associates, Jatin and Shivam. In one of the visuals, Shivam was spotted carrying a black bag.
Police said that shortly after the incident, all three accused switched off their mobile phones and went into hiding. Multiple raids were conducted at suspected locations in Delhi, but the trio could not be traced initially. Technical surveillance and call detail record analysis later indicated that they had travelled outside Delhi and were located in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sustained efforts led to Dhruv and Jatin surrendering before a court. During questioning, investigators found that the group frequently used the same travel agency for interstate travel. Further inquiry revealed that Shivam had booked a cab to Himachal Pradesh.
Acting on this information, police tracked down the cab driver, who disclosed Shivam’s location. A police team then reached a hotel in Himachal Pradesh and apprehended him. A search resulted in the recovery of ₹36.05 lakh in cash, along with branded clothes and shoes allegedly purchased using the stolen money.
All recovered items have been seized, and the accused has been produced before the court and sent to judicial custody. Police said further investigation is underway to recover the remaining cash and to determine whether more people were involved in the crime.
