Miscreants decamp with 17th century coins and cash from businessman's office

Miscreants broke into the office of a renowned businessman, Hasmukh Shah (72), of Vasai, and decamped with booty including ancestral coins dating back to the 17th century. Burglars also took away Rs 2.5 lakh in cash. The police suspect the hands of insiders in the case.

Shah had locked his office at 70, KT Builders, opposite Vasai railway station and very close to the police chowki. On Monday when his employees opened it, they found the locker of the cupboard broken into and coins missing.

"The coins date back to 17th century. Coins marking the beginning of East India Company were collected by my father. They were a priced possession. We open the coin chest often during pujas", said Shah.
"Miscreants entered through the ceiling. As the office is being renovated, cash was kept in a plastic bag. However, the hard part is the coins being stolen," said Shah.

"Rs 2.5 lakh in cash is missing and around 80 ancient coins have been stolen. We have registered a case under IPC sections 454 (house breaking in order to commit offence punishable with imprisonment), 457 (house breaking at night), 380 (theft). CCTV cameras in the area were dysfunctional. The office does not have adequate security measures to prevent break ins. We suspect it to be an insider job and are investigating," said DB Jadhav, assistant police inspector, Manickpur station.