Rs 2cr in cash and jewellery stolen from north Kolkata flat as family sleeps; thieves ate almonds during heist, went for almirah with jewellery'

Time of India

a day ago

KOLKATA: Burglars broke into a five-bedroom apartment in a building on Ultadanga Main Road close to Hudco crossing early on Monday and decamped with cash and jewellery worth Rs 2 crore.
The family members, who were asleep during the break-in, told police they suspected insider involvement as the burglars were aware where the jewellery was kept and did not touch costly electronic items lying around.
The apartment is owned by 62-year-old businessman Sushil Kumar Bajaj, whose son, Shubham, told police that the accused entered the first-floor apartment through a window in the prayer room after cutting and removing the iron grille.
With the keys dangling in the almirah, the accused had no problem accessing the gold and diamond jewellery kept inside. Cops said a wedding had taken place at the house more than a year ago and the family members had not returned the jewellery to the bank locker.
The break-in was discovered around 6.15 am when Shubham's mother noticed the window grille in the prayer room was missing. Besides Rs 2 lakh in cash, jewellery that were stolen included a gold set of necklace, earrings and bangles weighing 80-100 grams and valued at Rs 70 lakh.
Among several other jewellery pieces missing were diamond-studded bangles worth Rs 5 lakh, five pairs of diamond-studded gold earrings worth Rs 5 lakh, 10 gold chains valued at Rs 15 lakh, a gold bracelet worth Rs 1.5 lakh and several gold and diamond rings worth at least Rs 15 lakh.
'These weren't just valuable items, they included family heirlooms,' said a family member.
Shubham said he suspected an insider could be involved.
'They did not touch the electronic items that lay scattered around our flat. They knew where the almirah with the ornaments was and even ventured into the kitchen and ate some almonds,' he said.
'Our life's savings have been stolen. My father has serious heart ailments, and my mother is diabetic. We need to keep cash with us for sudden hospitalisations. Last month, too, my father spent days at a hospital in Alipore. I remain busy with my job.
I married a few months ago and these were very much all we had as our savings,' he added.
Police are examining footage from CCTV cameras in the neighbourhood and have deployed a forensic team to collect evidence from the crime scene, an investigating officer said. An FIR under BNS 305 (theft in a dwelling house) has been lodged at Ultadanga police station. The detective department is also helping with the probe.
This incident has raised concerns about security in the Ultadanga area. Residents of neighbouring buildings expressed concern at the daring theft that took place despite the presence of family members in the house. Security has been tightened in the surrounding areas and cops have urged residents to enhance their security measures and install surveillance cameras.