Ex-hotel worker booked for stealing ₹2 lakh from Bodakdev restaurant

A former employee of a South Indian restaurant in Bodakdev has been booked for allegedly robbing the establishment of ₹2.2 lakh in cash after threatening cleaning staff with a kitchen paddle in the early hours of Monday, police said.

As per the FIR registered at Bodakdev Police Station, the incident occurred between 12.45 am and 1.45 am on December 15 at Isthaa South Indian Restaurant, located at Sun Orbit Complex on Rajpath–Rangoli Road.

The accused has been identified as Manoj Kumar Harilal, who previously worked at the restaurant and was residing at the same complex. Police said he entered the premises through the door and intimidated the cleaning staff before making away with the cash.

In his complaint, restaurant manager Mukeshbhai Shivprasad Thakur (28) stated that the restaurant is operated by Golden Mirage Hospitality LLP and that cash collections of the previous three days were kept in the counter. Thakur said he had left the restaurant around 1.45 am on December 14 after completing his shift, while two members of the cleaning staff, Biren Chaudhary and Dipen Shahi, remained on the premises.

Shortly thereafter, Thakur received a call from the restaurant’s floor manager informing him that an intruder had threatened the staff and fled with a bag containing cash. On reaching the restaurant, Thakur found that ₹2.2 lakh was missing from the cash counter.

One of the cleaners told police that while he had stepped out briefly to dispose of garbage, an unknown man with his face partially covered entered the kitchen, demanded the door keys and threatened to kill him with a paddle if he refused. Fearing for his life, the staff member handed over the keys, after which the accused accessed the counter and escaped with the cash.

Police said no other items were stolen. A case of robbery has been registered, and efforts are under way to trace and apprehend the accused. Further investigation is in progress.