High-Value Burglary Rocks Ahmedabad's Navrangpura: Rs 23 Lakh Worth of Valuables Stolen
In a shocking incident that has rattled the upscale Navrangpura locality of Ahmedabad, thieves made off with jewellery, cash, and foreign currency valued at approximately Rs 23.03 lakh from a residential flat on the third floor of Nakshatra Apartments. The brazen theft occurred on Monday evening, February 9, while the occupants were away for a brief period, according to police reports filed with the Navrangpura police station.
Complaint Filed by Pharma Consultant Working from Home
The victim, identified as Shital Somani (28), a private employee who works from home as a pharmaceutical consultant, lodged a formal complaint on Tuesday. Shital resides at the aforementioned apartment complex located off CG Road with her family, including her mother Rajshree and sister-in-law Sunanda.
As per the First Information Report (FIR), the sequence of events unfolded around 5:30 PM on February 9. Shital and her mother left their home to purchase groceries, leaving Sunanda alone in the flat. Approximately ten minutes later, while Shital and Rajshree were near Commerce Six Roads, Sunanda contacted them to inform that she had locked the main door and departed for her parental home.
Suspicious Discovery Upon Return
The mother and daughter returned to their residence around 7:00 PM. Upon attempting to unlock the main door, they immediately noticed something amiss—the latch was loose and detached easily, raising immediate red flags. Entering the flat, they observed no apparent disturbance in the hall area, which initially seemed normal.
However, their concern escalated when they proceeded to check Rajshree's bedroom. There, they discovered the plywood wardrobe wide open, with several drawers inside clearly rummaged through and in disarray. A quick inspection confirmed their worst fears: a significant cache of valuables was missing.
Detailed Inventory of Stolen Items
Police investigations revealed that the stolen property included a substantial haul of precious items:
- Gold Jewellery: Multiple ornaments such as a mangalsutra with a diamond-studded pendant, earrings, bangles, and chains. The jewellery, reported to be 15 to 20 years old, varied in carats and designs and collectively weighed several tolas.
- Silver Articles: Including silver anklets and various religious silver items.
- Cash: Indian currency totaling Rs 35,000.
- Foreign Currency: 3,000 dirhams, 2,000 US dollars, and 200 euros.
The total estimated value of all stolen property was pegged at Rs 23.03 lakh, marking this as a high-value burglary case.
Police Investigation and Suspicions
Following the discovery, Shital promptly informed her father and sister-in-law, after which a police complaint was officially registered. Investigators from the Navrangpura police station have launched a thorough probe into the incident.
Preliminary suspicions point to an unidentified burglar who likely used a specialized tool to force open the latch of the main door. The theft is believed to have occurred in the narrow window between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM, taking advantage of the brief period when the flat was unoccupied.
The Navrangpura police have registered a case under relevant sections for house burglary and theft. Authorities are currently examining evidence, including potential CCTV footage from the vicinity, and are pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. This incident has heightened security concerns among residents in the area, prompting calls for increased vigilance.
