A senior scientist and joint director at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) fell victim to a burglary at her residence in north Delhi's Timarpur area. The thieves made off with cash, jewellery, and other valuables estimated to be worth between Rs 45 lakh and Rs 50 lakh. The crime occurred within a high-security residential campus operated by the Ministry of Defence, which reportedly employs 24 private security guards working in three shifts around the clock.
No suspects have been identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. The complainant, a senior scientist, revealed that the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras near her flat were not functioning at the time of the burglary.
Discovery of the Burglary
The theft came to light on May 23 when a neighbour noticed that the back door of the scientist's flat had been forced open. The neighbour promptly made a video call to the scientist, entered the flat, and discovered that the wooden almirahs were open and valuables were missing.
Stolen Items
The stolen items include Rs 15,000 in Indian currency, 20 British pounds, and 50 UAE dirhams in cash. Additionally, several gold ornaments such as necklaces, bangles, chains, rings, and earrings were taken, along with silver anklets and coins, and three high-end watches. The scientist told the Times of India, "Even empty purses kept in my almirahs are gone." She added that many of the valuables were ancestral jewellery gifted by her mother-in-law.
Timing of the Incident
The DRDO staffer had left for Chandigarh on May 15 to celebrate her birthday with her husband and five-year-old daughter. Although she had been making this trip almost every weekend for the past two years, she decided to extend her stay this time after cutting short her previous visit on Mother's Day. Her daughter's illness gave her another reason to spend a few extra days with her family.
Suspected Prior Surveillance
The scientist believes that the burglars were aware of her frequent outstation trips. "Everyone on the campus, including security staff, knew about them. Whenever I called workers for maintenance, I would mention that I would not be available over the weekends," she said. She added that the house had likely been surveyed and then specifically targeted.
Long-standing Maintenance Issues
The back door of the flat had allegedly been in disrepair for six to seven years, despite her repeated requests to fix it. "Carpenters visited my flat earlier, but it was not fixed," she noted. The wooden almirahs also needed repair. The scientist moved into the flat in 2008 and has been living alone since 2024.
"We kept the jewellery in the house, believing the campus was safe. Residents on the complex do not even latch their doors because they think it is a secure place," she said. "I can't imagine what could have happened had I been at home. I suspect the burglars brought some chemicals with them."
Police Investigation
A case has been registered under Section 305 (theft in a dwelling house) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police stated that efforts are underway to identify, trace, and apprehend the burglars.
