Kolkata Student's Multi-Crore Heist Foiled by Digital Footprint
In a startling case that reads like a crime thriller, a 19-year-old Kolkata student's meticulously planned Rs 1.5 crore robbery was ultimately undone by his own digital trail, including an Amazon purchase for a money-counting machine. The sensational theft, which involved 1.2 kilograms of gold jewellery, gold biscuits, and over Rs 26.50 lakh in cash, has sent shockwaves through the city's Diamond City West residential complex.
The Elaborate Scheme Unfolds
According to Kolkata police, the incident occurred between January 19 and January 23 at Tower 3 of a luxury apartment complex in Sarsuna. The accused, identified as Harshvardhan Shaw, a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) student, allegedly targeted his friend's family flat while they were out of town.
What makes this case particularly intriguing is the sophisticated methodology employed by the young accused. Police sources reveal that Shaw used a bar of soap to create an impression of the flat's key, subsequently having a duplicate made. He then allegedly purchased professional tools specifically for the heist, including an electric iron saw and the fateful money-counting machine through Amazon.
Digital Investigation Leads to Breakthrough
The crime might have remained unsolved had it not been for the meticulous digital investigation conducted by the Anti-Burglary Section in Lalbazar and the Sarsuna police. The turning point came when investigators noticed Shaw's unusual Amazon order placed on January 22, just days after the robbery.
"The suspect was closely interrogated, and it came to light that he had purchased a money-counting machine through Amazon on January 22," a senior police official stated. "Phone data also revealed he searched for an electric saw on the internet. Subsequently, he admitted his involvement."
The investigation involved:
- Scrutinizing footage from more than 135 CCTV cameras
- Analyzing call detail records (CDR) extensively
- Tracing mobile location data that placed Shaw inside the flat during the crime
- Noticing the absence of forced entry, suggesting an inside job
The Heist and Attempted Cover-Up
Once inside the empty flat, Shaw allegedly used the electric saw to cut through the back of the locker, making off with the substantial haul of gold and cash. In what police describe as an attempt to divert suspicion, Shaw reportedly "helped" the family upon their return and even took the neighbour's CCTV hard disk under the pretext of checking footage, only to steal it to destroy evidence.
"The place of occurrence revealed that this theft might be done by someone known to the complainant," a police official noted, explaining their initial suspicions.
Recovery and Legal Proceedings
The police have successfully recovered significant evidence and stolen property, including:
- The electric saw used in the crime
- The stolen jewellery and gold biscuits
- A majority of the stolen cash
Shaw, identified as the son of a Kolkata Municipal Corporation consultant, was arrested on February 2 and produced in Alipore court on Monday. He has been remanded to police custody until February 8 as investigations continue.
The case has been filed under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on charges of theft, with police working to recover the remaining stolen funds. This incident serves as a stark reminder of how digital footprints can unravel even the most carefully planned criminal schemes.
