Theft in city club, two visitors robbed

Two visitors to Karnavati Club were robbed of cash, cellphones and jewellery worth more than Rs5 lakh on Sunday morning. The visitors had stayed in the club's two ground floor rooms - no 114 and 121.

The visitors had apparently stayed outside the club for long. On Sunday morning, they discovered the loot. Sources said the club management initially tried to do a cover-up of the theft and also requested the visitors not to lodge a complaint with the police. The club management was also not forthcoming when the media initially approached them for information.

However, the victims — Nisha Chabaria, wife of Nagesh Chabaria (country head of In Cable) and Gopal Ram Bhoot — lodged complaint with Sarkhej police.  According to reports, Nisha Chabaria, who had come from Mumbai and been staying at room number 121, had gone out for some work and returned to her room at night.

On Sunday morning, she woke up to find that the store-well of her room was open and cellphone, some cash and jewellery worth Rs 4lakh were missing.

She told DNA, "When I informed the club authorities about the theft in my room, they initially paid little interest. Later, I informed the Sarkhej police." 

Chabaria said she later came to know that another visitor, Gopal Ram Bhoot, who had come from Kolkatta and was staying at room number 114, also had his cellphone, Rs4,000 in Indian currency and 100 US dollar notes looted.

Chabaria lamented the security arrangements at the club. "The security here is very thin as very few personnel have been deployed for security. Moreover, there are no close circuit TV cameras on the club premises," she said.

The Sarkhej police have started a probe into the thefts launched a hunt to nab the culprit. Police said prima facie it appeared that the thieves must be someone from inside the Club who had all information about the visitors. The police have also found finger prints from room number 114.