A theft worth ₹5.3 lakh has come to light at a hotel in Powai, where a staff member allegedly fled after stealing silver bricks and cash belonging to a film director. The Powai Police have registered a case of theft against the accused, identified as 25-year-old hotel employee Sadanand Chaubey, and launched a search operation to trace him.
According to police officials, the accused has reportedly fled to his native village, and a police team is expected to leave soon to apprehend him.
The complainant, Rishbha Sandeep Giri, is a film director currently residing in the Lokhandwala area of Andheri, while her family stays in Kandivali’s Charkop locality. She had been staying on a rental cot-basis arrangement at Ammas Palace Hotel in Powai between March 2025 and March 2026.
During her stay, Giri had purchased two silver bricks weighing one kilogram each from her earnings and kept them in her bag. On March 10, when she checked her belongings due to a financial need, she discovered that the two silver bricks along with ₹1.3 lakh in cash—totalling approximately ₹5.3 lakh—were missing. She then questioned the hotel manager and staff regarding the missing valuables.
Taking serious note of the incident, hotel authorities initiated an internal inquiry and examined CCTV footage. The footage revealed that Chaubey had allegedly stolen the silver bricks and cash from Giri’s bag over multiple instances between February 28 and March 7, 2026.
After the incident came to light, the accused fled from the hotel premises and has not returned since. He also switched off his mobile phone, raising further suspicion.
A few days later, the hotel manager learned that Chaubey had escaped to his native place. The information was conveyed to Giri, who subsequently lodged a complaint at Powai Police Station.
Based on her complaint, the police have registered a case of theft and initiated a manhunt. Efforts are underway to track down the आरोपी, and a police team will soon visit his native village to secure his arrest, officials said.