Domestic help robs Rs 3.5 lakh, 1.5 kg gold

For 52-year-old Abdul Sattar Sheikh, this Eid-ul-Adha did not go down well. His domestic help of three years robbed him of Rs 3.5 lakh and gold weighing around 1.5 kg from his residence during the celebrations.

‘Gold'en opportunity: Mohammad knew that Sheikh's family would not be at home on Eid and entered the house using his set of duplicate keys and fled with the gold and cash. Representation pic

According to police officials, the accused Sandeep alias Din Mohammad took up a job at Sheikh's residence at Raj Paradise on military road in Andheri (East) three years ago.

Mohammad also began working at Sheikh's shop in Govandi. "He managed to sweet talk Sheikh and after earning his trust, he was given a set of duplicate keys to the home," said a police official.

When Sheikh and his family left the house on the morning of Eid to celebrate, Mohammad - realising his opportunity - used his set of keys and broke into the vault and fled with the gold and money.

On Sheikh's return in the evening, he was shocked to see the valuables missing and tried calling Mohammad but when Mohammad did not respond to his calls, he went to MIDC police and registered a complaint.

Gaining trust
An official from the MIDC police said, "Mohammad had befriended his employer and to further gain his trust had also accepted Islam and renamed himself from Sandeep to Din Mohammad."

Inspector Mohan Waghmare of MIDC police station said, "The accused gained the trust of the complainant and then committed the crime. We have registered a case under Section 381 (theft) of the Indian Penal Code. We have got leads and the accused, who is at large will be tracked soon."

Meanwhile, a shocked Sheikh told MiD DAY that Mohammad's betrayal had come as a big shock to him.

"I trusted him a lot and I am now paying that he should be arrested soon."u00a0