Domestic help arrested in Rs 40 lakh Kirti Nagar theft case

Delhi Police has arrested a 23-year-old domestic help who allegedly fled with cash and gold jewellery worth around Rs 40 lakh from his employer's house in west Delhi's Kirti Nagar and later used part of the stolen money to buy a motorcycle, officials said on Wednesday.

The accused, Vishal Kumar, a resident of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested from Aligarh, police said.

Following his arrest, police recovered stolen items worth nearly Rs 40 lakh, including Rs 6.38 lakh in cash and 50-60 grams of gold jewellery. A pistol and 25 live cartridges were also recovered, they said.

The seized items included a red motorcycle, which Kumar allegedly bought for Rs 2 lakh using the stolen money.

The theft came to light on September 11 when complainant Ankur Bhasin and his family returned home after attending a function and found Kumar missing.

A cupboard in the house was found broken and around Rs 10 lakh in cash and gold jewellery kept in a mini safe inside it was missing, police said.

During the investigation, police found that Kumar had been recruited through a placement agency in Lajpat Nagar. The agency provided documents he had submitted when he was placed with the family, including an Aadhaar card carrying a Noida address that police found to be false.

Using electronic surveillance and technical inputs, police traced Kumar to Bulandshahr but did not find him there. He was subsequently traced to Aligarh, where he was arrested.

During interrogation, Kumar allegedly admitted to his involvement in the theft and led police to the location where the stolen items were kept, officials said.

Further investigation is underway.