Kerala man breaks into neighbour's house who was out for a wedding, steals ₹1 crore

According to the Police, the case was cracked with the help of CCTV footage and fingerprint evidence collected from the scene of the crime.

Updated on: Dec 2, 2024, 13:08:54 IST

By HT News Desk | Edited by Shivam Pratap Singh

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Kerala police on Monday solved a week-old case of theft of ₹1 crore and 300 sovereigns of gold from the house of a prominent trader in Kannur district. A neighbour has been arrested in connection with the heist.

Police cracked the case with the help of CCTV footage and fingerprint evidence collected from the scene of the crime. (AP)

The police took the accused into custody on Saturday by an investigation team constituted to probe the case, police said. He has been identified as 30-year-old Vijesh.

Vijesh works as a welder in the same locality as the trader. The stolen cash and ornaments were recovered from under a cot at his house, PTI reported.

According to the police, the case was cracked with the help of CCTV footage and fingerprint evidence collected from the scene of the crime.

CCTV visuals showed the accused returning to the same house the day after the theft, raising suspicions of the involvement of someone familiar with the household. Crucial evidence included a chisel found inside the house and fingerprints, police said.

The theft occurred while Ashraf, a rice trader, and his family were attending a wedding in Madurai on November 19.

They discovered the robbery upon returning home on November 24. The family then lodged a complaint with the police. One of the family's relatives told the media that money, gold, and other valuables were kept locked in a cupboard, and the key was kept in another room.

Also read: Nearly 1,500 Kerala govt employees found fraudulently claiming welfare pensions

The Investigation

Police suspected that the burglars entered the house by gas-cutting the iron grill of the kitchen window. Examination of the CCTV footage showed three persons scaling the compound to enter the house.

A team from Kerala's forensic department collected fingerprints and other evidence from the crime scene. Police then launched a widespread search to nab the accused.

A report from The Times of India said Kerala is seeing a surge in burglary cases linked to gangs from other states. While 192 such cases were reported in 2021, the number has surged to 519 in 2023. The police have arrested 1,325 people in connection with such cases, but recovering stolen gold remains a major challenge, the report said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.