Cracking a high-profile burglary case involving assets worth Rs 1.5 crore from the residence of a prominent Shimla hotelier, the Himachal Pradesh Police have arrested four suspects from neighboring Uttarakhand. The operation was executed by a dedicated team from the Sadar Police Station in Shimla following an intensive multi-state trail. The investigation took an unexpected turn when an excise inspector, who had intercepted the fleeing suspects and allegedly extorted half of the stolen jewelry to let them escape, was also apprehended as a co-conspirator. Law enforcement officials have successfully recovered around 80 percent of the stolen valuables, while an active search continues for the remaining property and other accomplices involved in the crime.
Domestic Helper Employed Ten Days Earlier Executed the Break-In
The theft occurred at the private residence of the owner of Shimla's well-known Baljees Hotel and Restaurant. Just 10 days prior to the incident, the family had hired a young woman to take care of daily housekeeping and cleaning duties. Taking advantage of the household trust, the helper orchestrated the major theft. According to the formal complaint registered on September 8, 2026, at the Sadar Police Station, family members discovered their room cupboards ransacked and wide open in the morning hours, with household items strewn across the floor. A preliminary assessment revealed that cash, expensive jewelry, and valuables collectively valued at well over Rs 1 crore were missing from the premises.
Joint Police Raid in Rudrapur Leads to Multiple Arrests
Shimla Additional Superintendent of Police Mehar Kanwar shared that investigators tracked the suspects using a blend of technical surveillance and physical evidence. Following crucial intelligence, the team from Sadar Police Station launched a joint operation in coordination with the Udham Singh Nagar district police in Uttarakhand. The joint law enforcement unit cordoned off locations in Rudrapur, apprehending four individuals. The arrested persons have been identified as 56-year-old Devendra Kumar from Ramnagar in Uttarakhand, 58-year-old Pappu Lal from Udham Singh Nagar, 35-year-old Baljeet Singh from Udham Singh Nagar, and 36-year-old Naeem from Udham Singh Nagar.
Excise Inspector Suspended for Bargaining and Retaining Half the Loot
During custodial interrogation and subsequent inquiry, investigators discovered a brazen act of corruption. While the suspects were fleeing through Uttarakhand with the stolen gold jewelry and other luxury items, their vehicle was flagged down for inspection by an excise team in Rudrapur. Rather than impounding the contraband and alerting the police, excise inspector Devendra Kumar allegedly confiscated roughly half of the stolen haul for himself and allowed the getaway vehicle to proceed. Once his direct involvement surfaced during the police operation, Devendra Kumar was taken into custody alongside the other suspects and has been placed under immediate official suspension by the department.
Eighty Percent Recovery Made Amid Strict Advisory on Tenant Verification
ASP Mehar Kanwar confirmed that approximately 80 percent of the total stolen property, comprising precious gold jewelry and high-value articles, has already been safely retrieved. Police teams are currently pursuing several leads to recover the remaining 20 percent of the assets and to track down any other individuals who facilitated the domestic helper or sheltered the fugitives. Emphasizing safety protocols following the incident, ASP Mehar Kanwar urged residents, business owners, and commercial establishments to never employ domestic helpers, drivers, or staff without mandatory police verification. She stressed that employers must thoroughly verify permanent residential addresses, valid government identification documents, and background histories from previous employers before granting access to their households.
