1 hr ago
Shimla Burglary Probe Raises Questions Over Rudrapur Interception
A woman named Renu Baljees says people stole jewellery from her home in Shimla.
Police suspect a new maid and three men carried out the burglary.
A caller later said uniformed officials stopped the group in Rudrapur and took the jewellery.
Police arrested four officials in connection with that part of the case, but they have been released on bail.
Investigators are also looking for other people, including a missing excise constable.
Police say they have recovered most of the jewellery.
Renu does not agree with their estimate of how much has been recovered.
Police are still trying to learn whether the events were part of a larger plan.
A burglary at Renu Baljees’s Shimla home on September 8 resulted in jewellery theft initially estimated at Rs 1 crore.
Police say a newly hired maid, Karishma, entered the house with three male accomplices; CCTV allegedly recorded the group.
A caller identifying herself as Karishma’s sister said uniformed personnel intercepted the group in Rudrapur and took the valuables.
Shimla Police arrested four personnel linked to Uttarakhand’s excise department on September 22; they have since been released on bail.
Police say 80% of the jewellery has been recovered, while Baljees disputes that assessment; investigators are probing other suspects and possible networks.
- Who
- Renu Baljees; the burglary suspects, including Karishma and three alleged accomplices; and four arrested officials.
- What
- A burglary at Baljees’s home followed by an alleged interception of the suspects and stolen valuables in Rudrapur.
- Where
- Fingask Estate in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, and Rudrapur in Uttarakhand.
- When
- The burglary occurred on September 8; four officials were arrested on September 22. The year is not stated.
- Why
- Police are investigating the burglary, the recovery of the valuables, and whether the suspects and officials were connected through an organised network.
Police account
Baljees’s account
Jewellery recovery
Police account
Police say 80% of the stolen jewellery items have been recovered.
Baljees’s account
Baljees disputes the police assessment of how much jewellery has been recovered.
How the maid was hired
Police account
Police say Baljees requested a maid through an online placement agency.
Baljees’s account
Baljees denies making that request and says a man repeatedly contacted her on WhatsApp, claiming he could provide reliable help.
Possible wider network
Police account
Investigators are examining whether an organised network arranged domestic work and carried out robberies, or whether the officials acted separately.
Baljees’s account
The report does not give Baljees a stated position on whether there was an organised network.
Key facts
- Victim
- Renu Baljees, 76
- Burglary date
- September 8
- Location
- Fingask Estate, Shimla
- Initial estimated value
- Rs 1 crore in jewellery and valuables, according to the FIR
- Officials arrested
- Four, on September 22; they have since been released on bail
- Reported recovery
- Police say 80% of the stolen jewellery items have been recovered; Baljees disputes this assessment
- Investigation
- Police are pursuing burglary suspects and investigating the role of a missing excise constable and possible networks
Quotes
Renu Baljees
Shimla homeowner whose house was burgled
“My phone was gone. I had no way of communicating. I had a bell that connected me to my bakery on the ground floor; I rang it. The staff quickly came up. They found a maid lying unconscious after she was knocked down. Another maid was missing. All my valuables had been stolen.”
indianexpress.com
“She came straight to the point. She sought my forgiveness for what had occurred, and told me that some uniformed people had intercepted her sister and her accomplices at Rudrapur and took all the valuables from them.”
indianexpress.com
Investigating police officer
Officer involved in the investigation
“We are investigating if there was an organised network involved.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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