Kolkata BCA Student Arrested for Rs 1.5 Crore Neighbourhood Robbery
In a shocking incident from Kolkata, a 19-year-old BCA student of a private college in Odisha, who resides in a Behala condominium, has been arrested for allegedly robbing his neighbours of a staggering Rs 1.5 crore. The anti-burglary unit of the Detective Department (DD) disclosed that the accused, Harsvardhan Shaw, a resident of the first floor of Tower 3 in Diamond City West, Sarsuna, was intimately acquainted with the complainants, who also live in the same tower on the fourth floor.
Details of the Stolen Items
Police reported that the stolen property included gold ornaments and bullion weighing approximately 1,150 grams, along with cash totalling Rs 26.5 lakh. The complaint filed by the victims provides a detailed inventory of the missing items:
- Multiple sets of gold bangles, bracelets, necklaces with earrings, rings, and chains
- A mang tikka, a nath, and nose rings
- A diamond-studded gold mangalsutra
- Gold items including a 50-gram biscuit, a 25-gram biscuit, a 15-gram biscuit, five 10-gram gold coins, and one 5-gram gold coin
The complainant, a homemaker, alleged that Rs 25 lakh was stolen from an iron safe, while an additional Rs 1.5 lakh was taken from a wardrobe in the bedroom. The theft is believed to have occurred between January 19 and 23, 2024.
Modus Operandi and Investigation
According to police officers, Shaw exploited his close relationship with the victims to execute the crime. A few days prior to the incident, Shaw's father, who works as a broker-cum-consultant for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), purchased a new car. Shaw invited the victims, particularly a young woman of his age, for a photo opportunity while taking the car out for a spin. This interaction allowed him to gain access to duplicate keys of their house.
Shaw then waited for the victims to leave Kolkata before carrying out the robbery. In preparation, he purchased a money-counting machine and searched online for an electric saw, indicating premeditation. Upon returning from Ranchi on January 24, the victims discovered the theft and immediately called Shaw to check the CCTV footage. However, Shaw had already removed the hard disk that could have implicated him.
Police officers stated, "We reviewed seven days of footage and concluded that an insider was involved. Our investigation revealed that Shaw ordered a money-counting machine but collected it late at night to avoid attention. His internet history showed searches for an electric saw. We also observed him taking a white bag out of the house and returning with it folded, suggesting he disposed of something, which we later confirmed was the saw. When confronted, he admitted to the crime."
Broader Implications
This case highlights concerns about insider crimes in residential communities and the sophisticated methods employed by young offenders. The arrest underscores the importance of vigilance and security measures in urban housing complexes. Authorities are continuing their investigation to recover the stolen items and ensure justice is served.
