Domestic help from Rajasthan decamps with ₹6.5 lakh cash from doctor’s home in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad Police have launched a search for a domestic worker from Rajasthan who allegedly stole ₹6.5 lakh in cash from the residence of a city-based doctor in Tragad after breaking open a bedroom safe, barely 10 days after being employed.

As per the FIR lodged at Ranip Police Station, Dr Hardik Narendra Vyas, a resident of Malabar County 3, Tragad, reported that his newly hired help, identified as Bhawarlal Khetaji Meena, a native of Devgaon, Udaipur district, Rajasthan, allegedly committed the theft on October 13.

Dr Vyas, who works at VIMS Hospital, Sabarmati, and Yash Hospital, Gota, told police that he had hired Meena on October 8 through an acquaintance, Naresh Chamanlal Nagarchi, a driver from Udaipur. Meena was recommended by Nagarchi and another relative, Hitesh Kumar Vinodji. The doctor agreed to employ him as a house-help for ₹15,000 per month, with food and lodging provided.

In his statement, Dr Vyas said that on the day of the incident, he left home for work around 11 am. When he returned for lunch at about 1 pm, he found the door locked from outside. After calling Meena several times on his mobile phone, which was switched off, he forced the door open and discovered that the safe in his bedroom was half open and one of its hinges had been broken Cash amounting to ₹6.5 lakh in ₹500 notes, kept in a drawer, was missing.

“He immediately called the police helpline. On checking the society’s CCTV footage, we saw Bhawarlal leaving the premises around 12.09 pm carrying a bag,” said police. 

The police arrived a few hours later and began an initial investigation. Meena’s phone has remained switched off since the incident. Dr Vyas lodged a formal written complaint the following day after verifying the loss.

The accused, identified through his Aadhaar card and mobile number, has been booked under relevant sections for theft and housebreaking.

A senior officer at Ranip Police Station said, “Preliminary inquiry indicates that the accused may have fled to Rajasthan. A team will be sent to trace him based on the leads available.”

The case highlights yet another instance of thefts involving recently hired domestic workers, prompting police to advise citizens to verify background details and maintain ID copies of domestic help before employment.