Diner accuses valet parking staff of stealing ₹3.5 lakh from vehicle in Ahmedabad

The Sola High Court police have registered a case against an unidentified valet parking employee after a Chandlodia resident alleged that ₹3.5 lakh in cash was stolen from his car while it was parked at a restaurant in the city's Sola area.

The complainant, Vasudevbhai Kuberdas, 54, who runs a youth skill development centre in Patan district, alleged that the theft took place while he and his family were dining at a restaurant near Sola Bhagwat.

Vasudevbhai stated that on the night of June 3, he, along with his wife Krishnaben and their 14-year-old daughter Avani, visited the "Tasty Sizzler" restaurant near the 145 Complex at around 8.30 pm. Upon arriving, he parked his Hyundai Venue car in the restaurant's parking area.

The complainant alleged that a valet parking employee approached him, requested the vehicle key and issued a parking token. Trusting the employee, he handed over the key before proceeding inside the restaurant with his family.

A black laptop bag had been kept on the rear seat of the vehicle. Inside the bag, wrapped in a white cloth, was cash amounting to ₹3.5 lakh in different denominations. Of the total amount, ₹1 lakh reportedly belonged to the complainant, while ₹2.5 lakh had been borrowed from his friend, Naresh Dalwa, a resident of Chandlodia.

After finishing dinner, the family returned home at around 10.30 pm. It was only after reaching home and checking the bag that Vasudevbhai allegedly discovered the cash was missing.

The complainant then returned to the restaurant and informed the management about the missing money. He subsequently alleged that an unidentified valet parking employee had gained access to the vehicle using the key entrusted to him and removed the cash from the laptop bag without his knowledge.

Based on the complaint, the Sola High Court Police Station has registered a case of theft and criminal breach of trust against an unidentified individual associated with the restaurant's valet parking service.

Police officials said they are expected to examine CCTV footage from the restaurant premises and parking area, as well as question staff members who were on duty at the time of the incident. Investigators will also verify the complainant's claims regarding the cash and the sequence of events leading up to the alleged theft.