Accused used fake identity to place maid in the household; loot executed while doctor was away
New Delhi: In a sensational case of pre-planned theft, the Delhi Police have arrested three women — including a 27-year-old law student — for allegedly stealing Rs 30 lakh in cash and a mobile phone from the residence of a doctor in northwest Delhi. The heist was carried out just two days after one of the accused infiltrated the house as a maid under a fake identity.
According to the police, the law student, identified as Rajni, orchestrated the robbery by planting her friend Shilpi, 19, as a live-in domestic help in the home of Dr. Anil Raheja. Another accomplice, 25-year-old Neha Samalty, also participated in the heist, which took place when the doctor was not at home.
Theft Unfolded Within 48 Hours of Hiring
Dr. Raheja reported the incident on June 12 after discovering that the newly employed maid and her two accomplices had disappeared along with cash and a mobile phone. The maid, who had been hired through a domestic agency under the name “Tanveer Kaur,” was later identified as Shilpi, who had used forged documents.
“Shilpi’s recruitment was part of a carefully designed plan by Rajni, a law student, to rob the house,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Bhisham Singh. “The group searched for job listings online and used a fake ID created by Rajni to get Shilpi hired.”
Arrests and Recovery
Acting on CCTV footage and technical surveillance, police traced Rajni and Shilpi to Meerut and arrested them in a swift raid. Shilpi was found in possession of Rs 10.07 lakh in cash and phone accessories, while Rajni had Rs 12.5 lakh and the stolen mobile phone.
Their interrogation led to the arrest of Neha from Saharanpur, from whom Rs 50,000 and a mobile phone were recovered.
All three women reportedly confessed to the crime and said that they had planned it together to obtain money to secure employment. Preliminary investigations suggest this was their first criminal act, driven by financial desperation.
Case Registered Under BNS
Police have registered a case under Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to theft committed by a servant. Authorities are further investigating to determine if the accused have links to any similar crimes in the past.
