Three empty gold coin packets found clogged in a bathroom outlet exposed a Rs 25.9 lakh domestic theft at a Hiranandani Gardens flat in Powai. Powai police arrested the family’s 24-hour live-in maid, Babita Devi Dineshwar Yadav, 32, and recovered 299 grams of gold worth Rs 25.57 lakh from Ranchi in Jharkhand.
[popcorn number="299 grams" desc="Quantity of gold recovered" class="Default"]
Empty packets
The theft came to light on September 15, when Aarti Kansara, 43, realised that valuables kept in a bedroom cupboard at her Hiranandani Gardens flat were missing.
The following day, the family’s cook, Reshma Suresh Sakhare, 43, was checking a bathroom outlet after water accumulated due to a blockage when she found three empty HDFC Bank gold coin packets. Kansara recognised them as packets belonging to the stolen coins.
Suspect trapped
The family initially suspected a former domestic worker, Anitadevi Hemraj Prasad, who had allegedly been dismissed after posting a video on Instagram and had not returned the house key despite repeated requests. However, police shifted focus to Babita due to her evasive answers.
Police Speak
Navnath Tukaram Dhekale, (PSI) the investigating officer
‘Babita had been working at the home for around six months as a live-in domestic worker. Her behaviour and evasive replies during questioning strengthened their suspicion. Having worked in the house round the clock, she was familiar with the household and knew where the keys were kept. She confessed to the theft after further questioning.’
Gold recovered
>> Police traced the gold to two locations, Babita’s aunt’s house in Jharkhand and a jeweller within the jurisdiction of Kotwali police station in Ranchi
>> Reshma was also questioned, but police said her involvement in the theft has not been established so far
>> A case has been registered at Powai police station under Section 305(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Further investigation is underway
Missing valuables
20 gold coins weighing 10 grams each
Eight gold bangles, earrings, bracelets, chains, mangalsutras
Rs 7 lakh in cash
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