ELECTRICIAN HELD FOR THEFT FROM VIMHANS HOSPITAL CASH COUNTER

• Stole cash Rs. 1.4 lakhs from the cash counter
• Disabled CCTV cameras before the theft
• Whole amount recovered from water tank of the hospital
• Committed theft to pay debt

The staff of PS Lajpat Nagar, South-East District has arrested an employee (electrician) of Vimhans Hospital namely Bhola Prasad, 45 years R/o New Friends Colony for committing a theft of Rs. 1.4 lakhs from the cash counter of the hospital. With the arrest of accused, whole stolen amount was recovered from water tank of the hospital.

Incident

On 19/06/2018, a PCR call regarding theft at Vimhans Hospital was received at police station Lajpat Nagar. A complaint regarding theft of Rs 1,40,000/- from the cash counter of  Vimhans Hospital was received. It was further reported that the alleged incident took place between 12.15 AM to 01.00 AM when the concerned officials were busy in conducting formalities of admission of patients. A case vide FIR no. 191/18, dated 19/06/18, u/s 380 IPC was registered at PS Lajpat Nagar and the investigation was taken up.

Team  

Keeping in view of gravity/sensitivity of the case, a team led by SHO/Lajpat Nagar Insp Pankaj Malik comprising of ASI Tridev, HC Ominder, HC Mukesh, Ct Vineet, began the investigation.  

Investigation

During the course of investigation, it was found that the cash was stolen from the cash counter by opening the drawer. The wires of CCTV cameras covering the cash counter were found disconnected by cutting the wires. The culprit had committed the offence in a pre-planned manner so as to leave no evidence. Primae facie it appeared to be the work of an insider. All suspected and connected staff of the hospital were interrogated thoroughly. Initially, all staff denied having any knowledge about the stolen cash. However, during interrogation, suspect Bhola Prasad who worked as electrician in the hospital was found to be inconsistent in his statements. There were contradictions in his statement and he was regularly changing his version regarding his movement and position at the time of the incident.

Interrogation

• Theft to pay debt

As the CCTV cameras covering cash counter were disconnected, CCTV footage of the vicinity were analyzed minutely. In one of the clips, suspect Bhola Prasad was seen near the place of occurrence with a screw driver in his hand. During sustained interrogation, the prime suspect Bhola Prasad broke down and admitted his guilt. He stated that he was going through some tough financial condition and had taken a loan. In order to make payment of loan he planned to commit the said offence. He installed CCTV cameras in the hospital few months ago. He knew every connection and function of cameras.

• Concealed money in water tank

From past few days he was looking forward for the opportunity to steal cash from the counter. On the intervening night, he found the person on cash counter duty was busy in admission of patients. Seeing the opportunity he cut the wires of CCTV cameras and stole cash from the counter. After that he concealed the stolen money in the water tank of the hospital. One of the wire of CCTV camera remained uncut.  Therefore, CCTV footage of a few seconds was recorded. He concealed the stolen money wrapped in a polythene bag in the water tank of the hospital. On the instance of accused Bhola Prasad whole amount was recovered and he was arrested.

Recovery

During investigation, the entire stolen amount i.e. Rs 1,40,000/- cash was recovered at the instance of accused from the water tank of the hospital and was seized.

Profile of accused

The accused Bhola Prasad, 45 years R/o New Friends Colony, lives with his family. He was working at Vimhans Hospital, Delhi as an electrician. He took some loan, but due to bad economic condition, he was unable to pay. He committed said theft to pay his debt.