A major burglary has shocked the business community in Haldwani, with thieves making off with gold, silver ornaments, and cash estimated to be worth up to a staggering Rs 1.25 crore from a prominent jewellery showroom. The incident occurred in the Kusumkheda area, falling under the jurisdiction of the Mukhani police station.
Modus Operandi: A Wall Cut from Adjacent Vacant Shop
According to the owner, Rajat Sharma of Radhika Jewellers, the theft was executed on Saturday when his establishment was closed. The burglars gained access not through the main entrance, but by ingeniously and laboriously cutting through the wall of a shop adjacent to the jewellery store. This neighbouring shop had reportedly been vacant since November 10.
"The stolen items included around 20-25 kg of silver, 300-400 grams of gold and about Rs 30,000 in cash," stated Sharma. He added that a precise valuation is still pending as a detailed inventory check is ongoing. The criminals attempted to break open the main safe but were unsuccessful in their endeavour. The entire operation is believed to have taken three to four hours and was discovered only on Sunday morning.
Police Investigation and Security Lapses
Law enforcement authorities have sprung into action. Circle Officer Amit Kumar confirmed that an investigation has been launched and forensic experts were deployed to the crime scene. SP (City) Haldwani, Manoj Katiyal, provided further details, noting that CCTV footage and photographic evidence have been recovered. Special teams have been formed to trace the accused using this digital evidence.
The SP explained why the theft went undetected: both shops were closed, and the wall was cut from inside the vacant premises, making it invisible during routine police patrols. A significant lead has emerged regarding the vacant shop. Its owner revealed that it had been leased without proper documentation, a fact that has now raised serious suspicion about the tenants involved.
Trader Concerns and Police Advisory
This high-value heist has sparked considerable concern and anger among local traders. They have pointed fingers at inadequate night patrolling in the commercial area and are demanding tighter security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
In response, the police have stated that patrolling has been intensified following the incident. They have also issued a crucial advisory to the public, urging them to thoroughly verify all documents and antecedents before renting out any houses or commercial properties to unknown persons.
