In a case of breach of trust, a 27-year-old domestic worker has been apprehended by the Delhi Police for the alleged theft of ancestral gold and silver jewellery valued at several lakh rupees from her former employer's residence in the Bindapur area.
The Discovery and Police Investigation
The incident came to light when the complainant, a resident of Bal Udyan Road in Bindapur, returned from an out-of-town trip and discovered her precious family jewellery missing between December 7 and 13. She promptly filed a report at the Bindapur police station, leading to the registration of a case under Section 305 (theft in a dwelling house) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
With no evidence of a break-in, investigators quickly suspected an insider's involvement. Scrutiny of CCTV footage from the vicinity revealed a masked woman entering the house on December 12 and exiting within a mere 15 minutes. This crucial visual evidence set the investigation in motion.
Tracking Down the Accused
Through detailed analysis of the suspect's movements and technical surveillance, police teams zeroed in on the Janakpuri area. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh stated that the accused, identified as Bharti, had switched off her old mobile phone and started using a new number in an attempt to evade detection.
"Based on her movement patterns, multiple raids were conducted before she was finally traced to her rented accommodation in Janakpuri," said DCP Singh. The police team conducted a raid at her flat, where Bharti was allegedly in the process of packing her belongings and preparing to flee the city. She was arrested on the spot.
Confession and Recovery
During interrogation, Bharti reportedly confessed to the crime. Police said she admitted to having sold a portion of the stolen jewellery for approximately Rs 3.8 lakh, which she then deposited into her bank account. The investigation revealed that Bharti had previously worked at the complainant's house and is suspected to have duplicated the keys to facilitate the theft during the family's absence.
A significant recovery was made from the accused. The stolen items, all of which were retrieved, included:
- A gold chain
- Earrings
- A ring
- A locket
- Silver payal (anklets)
- Silver toe rings
According to police officials, Bharti, who has no prior criminal record, claimed her motive was to gather funds to purchase a small flat for herself and her child. The case highlights concerns over security and verification in domestic employment, with the accused exploiting her familiarity with the household to execute the theft.
