The Jogeshwari Police Station has arrested a 27-year-old caretaker for allegedly stealing gold jewellery worth Rs 7.75 lakh from her employer’s residence on the third day of joining work. The accused has been identified as Sapna Nanakchand Chaudhary. Police have recovered most of the stolen valuables from her possession.
According to police sources, the complainant, Sheela Mali, is a resident of Jogeshwari and runs an imitation jewellery business. She owns a shop named ‘Hot Fashion’ in Malad and is assisted in her business by her husband, Soham Mali. After her mother-in-law, Kanika Mali, underwent knee surgery, the family decided to appoint a caretaker to look after her and the children at home.
Through a private agency, Shoumya Health Care India Company, Sapna Chaudhary was appointed as a caretaker at their residence. A resident of Khar, the accused joined duty on February 14, with working hours from 9 am to 9 pm.
On February 16, Kanika Mali had kept gold ornaments worth approximately Rs 7.75 lakh in a drawer of a wooden cupboard. However, the next day, the jewellery was found missing. When Sheela and Sohan Mali returned home around 9.30 pm, they were informed about the missing ornaments. Despite conducting a thorough search of the house, the family could not locate the jewellery.
As no one other than the caretaker had access to the house during the day, suspicion fell on Sapna Chaudhary. Sheela Mali subsequently lodged a complaint at the Jogeshwari Police Station.
Following the complaint, police registered a case of theft and launched an investigation. Sapna was detained for questioning, during which she reportedly confessed to committing the theft.
Based on her confession, she was formally arrested on Wednesday. Police have recovered most of the stolen gold jewellery, and further investigation is underway.