An 83-year-old woman in South Kolkata has filed a police complaint alleging a significant theft from her residence, pointing the finger at her domestic helper of more than two decades. The incident has sent shockwaves through the quiet neighborhood of Niva Park in Bansdroni, highlighting issues of trust and security.
The Shocking Discovery
Bakul Deb Chowdhury, whose husband was a retired professor of Calcutta University, stated that she kept Rs 3,51,500 in cash along with several small silver items, a silver lock, and some cutlery in a cupboard at her home. She last verified the presence of these valuables on October 25. However, on November 8, she made a distressing discovery: the money and items were missing. Upon closer inspection that evening, she realized even more was gone, including approximately Rs 1.5 lakh from the cupboard.
A Bond of Two Decades Shattered
The complainant expressed profound disbelief and hurt, as the named suspect is her maid from Canning, who had been in her service for over 20 years. Bakul revealed she had provided financial assistance to the helper for building a house and had even allowed her children to stay in a room at her residence. "I had difficulty believing she could be involved and tried to contact her multiple times. However, she never returned, forcing me to lodge an FIR on Sunday," Bakul told the police.
In her statement, she questioned the motive behind this "sudden inclination to commit such a grave crime." The elderly woman, whose son and daughter-in-law are settled in London, emphasized the emotional betrayal, stating, "More than the money, this is what it hurts."
Alleged Modus Operandi and Police Advice
According to the written complaint, the domestic help is alleged to have left sometime in November after allegedly taking the original keys to the almirahs and replacing them with duplicates. During her tenure, she had stayed at the house multiple times and had regular, unsupervised access to the premises.
Reacting to the case, a senior officer from Kolkata Police underscored the importance of constant vigilance. The officer advised residents to follow a few simple steps to reduce vulnerability:
- Always lock almirahs and secure valuables.
- Get domestic helps verified through proper channels.
- Avoid discussing financial matters in front of staff.
- Consider hiring from trusted agencies that provide recommendations.
The police have registered an FIR and are investigating the allegations. The search for the accused domestic help is currently underway.
