Househelp stole Rs 2 cr worth gold from family she worked for three years, when left alone; runs away with 1.5kg jewellery, Rs 25,000 cash

A Bengaluru family stepped out of their home for a few hours on August 25, leaving their domestic help alone. When they returned, they discovered that 1.5kg of gold jewellery worth more than Rs 2 crore and Rs 25,000 in cash had gone missing.

The domestic help, identified as Tulsi, had worked with the family for nearly three years and lived in a room the family had provided inside their home. Police now suspect that she took the valuables and escaped with the help of associates.

According to a report by The Times of India, Dilip Kaparthi, who lives in an apartment in Tata Silk Farm, Basavanagudi, filed a complaint with the Banashankari police. Kaparthi runs a gold business on Avenue Road.

Family discovers missing locker after son returns home

Kaparthi and his wife left their home around 12.30pm on August 25 to visit HSR Layout. Their son had already left for school around 7.30am.

The son returned around 3.30pm and noticed that the door of the apartment stood open. He alerted his father, who then contacted the building's security guard and asked him to check the house.

Kaparthi returned around 4.30pm and found signs of tampering in the bedroom cupboard. He also discovered that the safe locker containing the family's gold jewellery and cash had disappeared.

The family then alerted the Banashankari police.

CCTV shows domestic help leaving with locker

Police found CCTV footage that allegedly shows Tulsi leaving the apartment complex with her belongings. Investigators suspect that she concealed the locker among the items she carried out of the building.

A senior police officer told TOI that investigators suspect Tulsi received help from associates while escaping. Police are now trying to identify and trace the people who may have assisted her.

The police have not yet recovered the stolen jewellery or cash, and the investigation continues.

Police issue warning to households hiring domestic workers

The incident has also prompted police to remind residents about precautions when hiring domestic workers and security staff.

Joint Commissioner of Police (West) Vamsi Krishna advised residents to complete police verification before hiring domestic workers or security guards. He also asked families to restrict access to rooms containing valuables and avoid keeping large amounts of gold at home when possible.

He suggested that residents use bank lockers to store valuable jewellery rather than keeping it inside their homes.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Kona Vamsi Krishna said police have also been creating awareness among residents through the Mane Manege Police initiative.

The Bengaluru case highlights how a domestic worker who had spent years working inside a household allegedly gained an opportunity to access valuables when the family stepped out. Police are now investigating whether Tulsi planned the theft alone or worked with others.