A locked house in Chinhat was burgled while the family was away in Patna, with thieves allegedly breaking open the main gate lock and stealing ₹1 lakh in cash and gold and silver jewellery worth around ₹9 lakh.
The house belonged to a high court private secretary Gautam Kumar Sinha.
The incident came to light on August 21 after a neighbour informed Sinha, a resident of Madhav Greens in Lolai, that the main gate of his house was open. The FIR was lodged on Saturday under relevant sections, according to a police statement.
According to police, Sinha had left for Patna with his wife Neetu and their two children around 3.30am on August 19. He told police that his nephew was unwell and undergoing treatment at a hospital in Patna, prompting the family to travel there.
After receiving the neighbour’s call, Sinha informed Chinhat police. A police team reached the house and inspected the premises, while forensic experts collected evidence from the spot.
Sinha returned from Patna on Saturday morning and found that the house had been ransacked. According to his complaint, the burglars first broke the lock of the main gate and then damaged a kitchen window fitted with a ventilator to enter the house.
{{/usCountry}}Sinha returned from Patna on Saturday morning and found that the house had been ransacked. According to his complaint, the burglars first broke the lock of the main gate and then damaged a kitchen window fitted with a ventilator to enter the house.
{{/usCountry}}They subsequently broke open the lock of an almirah in one of the rooms and escaped with ₹1 lakh in cash and jewellery, including gold and silver ornaments, collectively valued at around ₹9 lakh, he told police.
CCTV footage from a neighbouring house has provided investigators with their first lead. Police said two suspected burglars can be seen entering the house and later leaving with what appears to be stolen property.
Sinha has also told police that a domestic worker and a milk supplier regularly visited the house. He further said that the cab driver who took the family to the railway station on August 19 had asked them some questions before they left.
Sinha has expressed suspicion about these individuals, but police have not established their involvement.
Investigators are questioning relevant persons and examining CCTV footage and other forensic evidence before drawing any conclusions.