Ahmedabad bungalow burgled while owner abroad, valuables worth ₹1.36 lakh stolen

A bungalow in Ahmedabad’s Science City area was allegedly burgled when its owner was travelling to the United States. Unidentified thieves decamped with cash, silver ornaments and other valuables collectively worth around ₹1.36 lakh, police said.

According to Bodakdev police, the burglary took place at a bungalow in Saptak Bungalows near Shukan Mall in the Sola Science City area.

Narendra Singh Chauhan, 42, who oversees maintenance work for the property owner, Praveenbhai Ambalal Patel, told police that the bungalow had remained locked since March 21 after Patel left for the United States.

Police said Chauhan had inspected the property on May 1 and found everything in order. However, on May 6, another caretaker, Nileshbhai Prajapati, allegedly discovered that the lock was broken and the house could not be opened with the key.

Chauhan rushed to the bungalow after receiving the information and informed the owner through a video call. A mechanic was later called to open the main entrance.

Upon entering the premises, the complainant allegedly found that the gallery door on the upper floor had been broken open. Wooden cupboards and lockers located in the temple area, bedrooms and bathrooms had also been damaged and ransacked.

Police said the stolen items included several silver ornaments and artefacts such as silver anklets, kandora, coins, utensils, idols and decorative items, along with gold coins, gold-plated jewellery, a camera and wristwatches.

The total value of the stolen property has been estimated at ₹1.36 lakh

Investigators suspect that the accused gained entry into the bungalow by breaking the upper-floor gallery door before targeting cupboards and lockers inside the house.

A case of housebreaking and theft has been registered against unidentified persons, and further investigation is being carried out by the police.