Mumbai: Theft at doctor's home: Help gets bail

A day after the police demanded proof from a 55-year-old doctor that gold ornaments had been stolen from his house in Koparkhairane, the accused, their domestic help, was let out on bail. The family claims it is because the police wasted time in asking for proof instead of investigating the case.

Dr Sudhakar Pathak, a resident of Shiv Parvati Cooperative Housing Society in Koparkhairane, reported on March 19 to the police that gold ornaments worth Rs 7 lakh were stolen from his house. On February 8, Pathak's wife was at home when the help, Anita Kalra, allegedly decamped with the gold ornaments worth Rs 2,35,000. The family members said they saw the CCTV footage of the locality and the building before making the accusation.

"After learning about the theft at my house, I was in shock. The ornaments belonged to my daughter; they were for her wedding. The ornaments were taken away by the servant. We are very sure she took it," said Pathak.

The family registered a case of theft against Kalra at Koparkhairane police station. "The police demanded evidence from us, instead of collecting the proof by themselves. And even after we gave them the evidence, they told us that things have been delayed and the accused managed to procure bail in the case," said Pathak.

Senior Inspector Shivajirao Awate, Koparkhairane police station, said, "We are checking CCTV footage and can apply for cancellation of the bail of the accused. The investigations have been given to another officer. Unbiased investigations will be conducted and we will try to recover the gold ornaments."