In a major incident of theft at the IGI airport, Rs 7 lakh was allegedly stolen from the luggage of a 58-year-old passenger after he deposited it for ‘check-in’ for a Vistara Airways flight UK-933 from Delhi to Mumbai.
According to a senior police official, complainant Daniel M Chandekar realised that his money was stolen after he found that the zip of his bag was open and the seal on his cash was also broken when he reached Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.
“Daniel was carrying Rs 8 lakh in his luggage which he did not declare. When he reached Mumbai and fetched his bag from the conveyor belt, he found the money was missing from the bag. He immediately lodged a complaint with airport police. Daniel was told that the seal on his cash was broken in Delhi. Daniel immediately informed us about the incident and we registered the FIR and started investigating the matter,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police, IGIA, Sanjay Bhatia.
Daniel, who lives in Gurgaon, said he works for Indian Sugar public limited and was taking money to their Mumbai branch for expenses.
“My only fault is that I did not declare the amount during the check. The cash is not mine but belongs to my company, but I will be held responsible for this loss,” he alleged.
Daniel further alleged that it was a clear incident of theft as the seal on his cash was broken and the zip on his bag was open.
“I was carrying Eight lakh rupees but only two bundles of Rs 500 was left behind,” said Daniel.
“No leads have been found yet as to who has committed the crime but further investigations are on. We are examining all the CCTV footages. It seems the cash might have been stolen only after it was passed into a conveyor belt for check-in,” said the police official.