Nepalese teen held for theft at Virbhadra’s palace in Sarahan

The police claim to have cracked the case of theft at Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh’s ancestral palace Shanti Kunj in Sarahan, 170km from here, with the arrest of a 17-year-old Nepalese boy.

The police claim to have cracked the case of theft at Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh’s ancestral palace Shanti Kunj in Sarahan, 170km from here, with the arrest of a 17-year-old Nepalese boy.

The police have recovered several artefacts and silver articles stolen from the palace on October 24. Interestingly, the items recovered are more than those reported stolen by the palace’s caretaker. (HT File Photo)

The police have recovered several artefacts and silver articles stolen from the palace on October 24. Interestingly, the items recovered are more than those reported stolen by the palace’s caretaker.

Additional director general of police (ADGP) Sanjay Kundu told HT that following the theft, the police constituted a special investigation team (SIT), headed by him, to crack the burglary case. The team also comprised Shimla superintendent of police DW Negi.

Director general of police (DGP) Sanjay Kumar said the police zeroed in on the boy with help of his mobile phone location and ultimately arrested him in Chandigarh, adding that the boy had earlier tried to break open the locks at the main gate with a stone, but in vain.

The police had been working on various leads since the theft that gave the opposition BJP a handle to hit out at the government over the deteriorating law and order in the state.