High-Value Theft at Reva University: Laptops and Cash Stolen from Classrooms
In a concerning incident at Reva University in Bengaluru, two students fell victim to theft within their own classrooms a fortnight ago. The thefts, which involved high-value electronic devices and cash, have prompted a police investigation under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Details of the First Theft Incident
According to a complaint filed with the Bagalur police on Monday, a final-year LLM (Master of Law) student reported the theft of his personal belongings. The student attended his first class on February 9 in classroom number 329 of the Sir M Visvesvaraya Block. Around 9:30 AM, he stepped out to join combined studies in an adjacent classroom, leaving his bag behind in the original room.
Upon returning at approximately 10:30 AM, he discovered that his MacBook Air 13-inch laptop, valued at over Rs 1.3 lakh, along with Rs 2,000 in cash, had been stolen from his bag. The student immediately began searching the campus and inquiring with friends and classmates, but the items could not be located.
Second Theft in the Same University Block
In a similar incident on the same day, another student studying in the first year of a BSc program also became a victim of theft. This student had left her Dell Inspiron 3530 laptop, worth Rs 52,000, and Rs 2,000 in cash in her bag in classroom number 309, which is located in the same Sir M Visvesvaraya Block.
She had gone to an adjacent classroom around 8:30 AM for combined studies, and upon her return, found her belongings missing. Like the first student, she conducted a thorough search on campus and asked peers, but the laptop and cash remained untraceable.
University Management and Police Response
Both students reported the incidents to the university management initially, and subsequently filed formal complaints with the police. The Bagalur police have registered a case under BNS Section 305, which pertains to theft in a dwelling house, means of transportation, place of worship, or similar premises.
Authorities are currently verifying CCTV footage from the Sir M Visvesvaraya Block to identify potential suspects. The investigation is ongoing, with police focusing on gathering evidence from the surveillance cameras to track down the perpetrators.
Impact and Broader Context
The total value of the stolen items amounts to over Rs 1.8 lakh for the laptops alone, plus Rs 4,000 in cash, highlighting the significant financial loss for the students. This incident raises concerns about security measures within educational institutions, particularly in areas like classrooms where students may leave belongings unattended during breaks or combined study sessions.
Reva University has not yet issued an official statement regarding the thefts or any subsequent security enhancements. The case serves as a reminder for students and institutions alike to remain vigilant and implement stricter safety protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future.
