Lucknow: Hardoi police on Sunday solved the Rs 1.29 crore theft at the residence of a wholesale trader in Hardoi, arresting 16 people, including two juveniles, and recovering Rs 1,28,99,310 cash.Investigators said the burglary was masterminded by trusted domestic workers who had been employed by the trader for nearly seven years. The accused reportedly drugged the family before executing the theft.The theft took place on July 16 night at the residence of Pankaj Agrawal, a wholesale grocery, pulses and rice trader, in Railwayganj area.The theft came to light on July 17 morning, when Agrawal found that three workers, including long-time employee Shobhit, had disappeared from the house.
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The family then discovered that cupboards had been broken open and cash had been stolen.Superintendent of police Ashok Kumar Meena constituted multiple police teams to investigate the case.During interrogation, the prime accused, Shobhit, confessed that he had been aware for years that several crores of rupees were kept in his employer’s house. He shared this information with two juvenile co-workers and later discussed the plan with other associates before preparing the burglary.Shobhit mixed an intoxicating substance into the food served to Pankaj Agrawal and other family members, rendering them unconscious. The accused broke open cupboards and decamped with the cash.Investigators arrested 16 accused, including 14 adults and two juveniles, from different locations.Investigators said many of those arrested were auto-rickshaw drivers or daily wage labourers who were lured by the prospect of quick money. During questioning, accused Shivam told police that he wanted money to travel to Nepal and eventually visit foreign countries. Another accused, Mahfooz alias Lali, who drives an auto-rickshaw in Lucknow, allegedly admitted he wanted to become rich quickly, while Sunny Gupta reportedly said he joined the conspiracy to buy a new motorcycle.Police said the 14 adult accused were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody, while the two minors were sent to a juvenile observation home. Further investigation is underway to determine whether anyone else was involved in the conspiracy and to verify the source and ownership of the recovered cash.
