Police are investigating a robbery at BJP councillor Amita Singh’s home in Dehradun’s Basant Vihar area after her domestic worker allegedly mixed a sedative into the family’s food. The family later reported that cash and jewellery were taken from 2 lockers.
The incident involved Amita Singh, her husband Mahipal Singh and their son. According to the police account, all 3 became unconscious after dinner. The worker, identified as Bharat Thapa, allegedly brought other men into the house and carried out the robbery.
Mahipal Singh told police that he regained partial awareness at about one:20 AM. He said he saw Thapa and 2 other people in the bedroom, but was unable to resist because his body was not responding normally.
Singh then managed to reach a neighbour’s house. He reportedly struggled to speak and used gestures to explain what had happened. The neighbour accompanied him back to the house, after which police were informed and the 3 family members were taken to hospital for treatment.
Cash and jewellery reported stolen
Singh told police and the media that ₹3 lakh in cash was taken from one locker. He also said another locker was broken open and jewellery worth about ₹30 lakh to ₹40 lakh was removed.
The account of the intruders differs by stage of the investigation. Singh said he saw Thapa and 2 other men, while the police have said the worker called 4 associates to help execute the robbery.
Investigators are also examining Thapa’s earlier criminal record. Police say he had previously been jailed in Delhi for about one year in a robbery case involving a similar method. After leaving jail, he returned to his country before later coming back and securing work through another placement agency.
Hiring process and verification under scrutiny
Thapa had been engaged approximately 25 days before the incident through an online agency operating from Delhi. Megha, the councillor’s daughter, works in Delhi and contacted a person named Sanjeev after searching online for domestic help. Sanjeev sent Thapa to the family’s home.
Police said Thapa gained the family’s confidence during the short period before the alleged robbery. City Superintendent of Police Shekhar Suyal said the family had not completed local police verification for the worker.
The Delhi-based placement agent who supplied Thapa is now part of the investigation. Police plan to question the agency operator about the alleged failure to conduct verification and are examining whether legal action is warranted over that lapse.
Search for the accused
Police teams are collecting information about Thapa’s contacts, possible locations and mobile-phone activity. They have also increased checking along the Uttarakhand-Nepal border because investigators suspect he may try to reach Nepal.
The investigation is therefore examining both the alleged role of the domestic worker and the placement network that helped him obtain employment. Police have not announced a court finding in the case, and the allegations remain under investigation.
Conclusion
The Dehradun robbery case centres on alleged drugging, the reported theft of ₹3 lakh and jewellery worth about ₹30 lakh to ₹40 lakh, and the absence of local police verification. Investigators are tracing Thapa and questioning the placement agency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where did the alleged robbery take place?
The incident was reported at BJP councillor Amita Singh’s home in the Basant Vihar police station area of Dehradun.
Q. Who is accused in the case?
Police have identified the domestic worker as Bharat Thapa. They are also investigating the role of other people who allegedly entered the house.
Q. How long had Thapa worked for the family?
He had been hired through an online placement agency approximately 25 days before the incident.
Q. What was reportedly stolen?
Mahipal Singh reported the theft of ₹3 lakh in cash and jewellery valued at about ₹30 lakh to ₹40 lakh.
Q. What earlier case is linked to Thapa?
Police say Thapa had spent about one year in a Delhi jail in an earlier robbery case involving a similar method.
Q. Was the worker’s police verification completed?
No. City Superintendent of Police Shekhar Suyal said the family had not arranged local police verification.
Q. What is happening to the placement agent?
The Delhi-based placement agent is being examined by police, who plan to question the operator about the hiring and verification process.
Q. Why has border checking been increased?
Police have increased checking along the Uttarakhand-Nepal border because of the possibility that Thapa may try to enter Nepal.
