A 54-year-old gynaecologist in West Bengaluru endured a terrifying experience after her newly hired domestic helpers allegedly drugged her and made off with a significant cache of valuables. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the local community, underscores glaring gaps in domestic staff verification processes.
The Harrowing Night in Bharath Nagar
The traumatic event unfolded on the night of December 2 at the doctor's residence on III Cross, Bharath Nagar. The victim, identified as Dr. Lalitha, had employed a couple from Nepal just a month prior through a known intermediary. The couple was living on the ground floor of the family's multi-storey home.
On that fateful evening, Dr. Lalitha's son, Nikhil KM, a graduate student, had taken medication for fever and retired to bed unusually early at 6:30 PM. The next morning, at around 7:30 AM, he discovered his mother lying disoriented near her bedroom door, barely able to speak. Sensing her distress, she managed to gesture for him to check on the domestic helpers.
Rushing downstairs, Nikhil was met with an empty room. The couple had vacated the premises, taking all their belongings with them. Acting swiftly, Nikhil alerted relatives and rushed his mother to a hospital for treatment.
The Stolen Valuables and CCTV Evidence
Once the immediate medical crisis was addressed, the family took stock of their losses. They discovered that several precious items were missing, including a 50-gram gold mangalya chain and 20 grams of gold bangles. As Dr. Lalitha regained partial consciousness, she indicated that a stash of cash kept in a cupboard had also been stolen.
Suspecting a well-planned robbery, Nikhil reviewed the house's CCTV footage. The recordings revealed a chilling sequence of events. At approximately 8:30 PM on December 2, the domestic help, identified as Bipendra, entered the house with accomplices. They were seen leaving around 10:45 PM, carrying belongings from the ground floor.
"As I had an exam on December 3, I took medicines early and went to bed," Nikhil explained. "Using this opportunity, our domestic helpers sedated my mother and fled with valuables. She is out of danger now," he added.
Police Case and a Warning on Verification
The family registered a case at the Byadarahalli police station. The complaint has been filed under Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to theft by a clerk or servant of property in the possession of their master.
Speaking on the incident, a police officer pointed to a critical lapse on the part of the employers. The family had hired the couple through a contact but had collected minimal background information. "They only knew Bipendra's name and had no details about his wife. Proper documentation was not done," the officer stated.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) DL Nagesh reiterated a crucial safety message for all households. "We keep reminding people of the importance of getting their employees verified, collecting ID proofs and other details. Hiring unknown people for domestic work or as security guards through proper channels is recommended," he emphasized.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to track down the accused couple and their accomplices.
