Two domestic workers hired less than a month ago are accused of stealing valuables worth nearly Rs. 18 crore from a house in Bengaluru, prompting police to form a special team to trace the suspects.
The theft took place at the residence of 28-year-old businessman Shimanth S Arjun in Marathahalli, where he lives with his wife Tanmayi and his parents. According to police, the incident occurred on 25 January when most family members were away attending a bhoomi puja ceremony. Shimanth’s father, a builder, was also out of town on work.
The household had employed several domestic staff, including a cook named Ambika, a staff member called Siddaram, and two housekeeping workers, Dinesh and Kamala. The latter two, both of Nepali origin, had joined the household only about 20 days earlier through a housekeeping agency.
Police said the family had repeatedly asked Dinesh and Kamala to submit proper identity documents, but the papers were never provided.
At around 12.30 pm on the day of the incident, the family received a call from their cook, who reported that cupboards and lockers inside the house had been broken open. When the family returned home, they found a locker in a ground-floor bedroom forced open with what appeared to be an iron rod.
Investigators believe the suspects first switched off the power supply, which disabled the CCTV cameras, before carrying out the theft.
Police estimate that the stolen items include around 11.5 kilograms of gold, 5 kilograms of silver and more than Rs. 11 lakh in cash. The total value of the stolen property is believed to be close to Rs. 18 crore.
An FIR has been registered, and a special police team has been formed to trace the absconding domestic workers and recover the stolen valuables.
The case comes amid a rise in similar incidents in the city. Police data shows that Bengaluru recorded a 20 per cent increase in domestic help theft cases in 2024 compared to the previous year. Of the 383 cases reported, 145 were solved.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Shekhar H Tekkannavar said that negligence by employers often makes it easier for such crimes to occur. He added that many domestic workers involved in theft cases in the city are from outside the state, underlining the importance of proper verification before hiring.
Police have urged residents to ensure thorough background checks and documentation of domestic staff to prevent such incidents.
