Kolkata: A series of high-value burglaries and snatching involving gold ornaments, precious stone jewellery, and liquid cash—with a combined valuation estimated at Rs 15 lakh—has triggered heightened security vigilance and multi-jurisdictional police investigations across Kolkata within a 24-hour window.
The stolen items comprised three gold rings weighing around 4 grams, five pairs of gold earrings totalling 5 grams, a traditional pair of gold-bound Shanka weighing 8 grams, a pair of gold-bound Pola weighing 4 grams, two gold nose rings, two gold bangles (churis), and Rs 3,000 in cash, according to official incident reports. In a separate incident on Oct 10 between 10 am and 11 am, an unidentified miscreant targeted a devotee amid the morning rush inside the heavily guarded Kalighat Temple complex. The victim, Himadri Debnath, was navigating the temple premises when an unknown individual allegedly stealthily snatched a gold neck chain featuring a diamond pendant, valued at around Rs 1,40,000.
Detectives investigating the domestic burglary noted that the offender targeted key storage units inside the dwelling before escaping unnoticed during early morning hours. Local police stations across the respective jurisdictions have registered FIRs under relevant sections of the BNS concerning residential burglary and public theft. Cops have initiated a multi-pronged strategy to apprehend the culprits and recover the missing property. In the Kalighat Temple incident, investigators are currently reviewing high-definition CCTV footage from surrounding surveillance cameras to establish the suspect’s identity and escape route. Special tracking teams have been dispatched to locate and arrest the FIR-named relative involved in the residential break-in, with raids underway across suspected hideouts. Cops have urged the public and jewellery traders to remain vigilant regarding illicit resales of gold ornaments.
The most substantial breach occurred on Oct 9 between 8.30 am and 9 am in Behala, involving two related residential incidents where a named family relative allegedly looted an almirah inside a complainant’s residence. Exploiting intimate familiarity with the household’s layout and security arrangements, the accused relative decamped with a substantial consignment of family heirlooms and liquid cash.