Bulb thieves strike at bungalows of six MPs

Over the past two weeks, our members of Parliament have reported repeated episodes of bulb-thieving from their bungalows in Lutyens’ Delhi, which are believed to be the safest in the city.

Over the past two weeks, our members of Parliament have reported repeated episodes of bulb-thieving from their bungalows in Lutyens’ Delhi, which are believed to be the safest in the city.

So far, six MPs have written to the police about the thefts. Interestingly, at the houses of two MPs, the bulb thieves struck twice within a period of 10 days.

The first in this recent series of thefts was reported on February 24 from 14, Janpath, the residence of BJP leader Anurag Thakur. The complainant, a local BJP leader, in his statement informed the police that similar thefts were reported from Thakur’s residence in the past and urged the police to arrest the accused persons immediately.

The following day, another theft was reported from 18, Windsor Place, of BJP leader Suresh Angadi. The complaint filed by his staff offices reads that two bulbs placed on the wall outside the main gate were stolen.

Similar thefts have been reported from the residences of Chhedi Paswan, Majeed Memon, Lallu Singh and Prem Singh Chandumajra - all parliamentarians who were not at their homes when the theft took place.

A staff officer at Paswan’s 27, Canning Road residence who filed the complaint, told HT, “There were two thefts which happened over a period of 10 days. The first happened in February after which we informed the police immediately. The police were investigating the case, when we noticed another bulb theft at the same gate on March 3.”

At 19, Ferozeshah Road, the residence of noted lawyer and MP Majeed Memon, a light bulb was stolen on March 2. Sources said this was the second bulb that was stolen.

In the third week of February, Memon’s staff replaced the blub after it was found missing from the main gate’s pole.

Just three houses away, on the same road, three days later, the thieves’ next target was MP Lallu Singh’s residence.

The Delhi Police have so far arrested two persons, whom they said were vagabonds.

The two, Saleem and Shamim, have confessed to have stolen the bulbs from the houses of MPs - Paswan, Memon, Angadi and Thakur. According to the police, both are addicted to drugs and sold bulbs to buy the same. Police said they are on the lookout for the other accused persons.