Hyderabad: A businessman and his wife were drugged and looted by their domestic helpers at their Kacheguda residence on the night of April 20. The accused fled with 1 kg of gold and ₹70 lakh in cash, prompting police to form three special teams to track them down.
The incident occurred at the Lingampally home of 62-year-old Hemraj Dugar, a carton factory owner. Hemraj and his wife Meena, 59, were alone at the time, as their son Abhishek and his family were vacationing in Bangkok.
According to police, the couple had dinner and retired for the night while two helpers — Arpita and Deepender (aka Gajender), both from Nepal — remained in the house. Around midnight, Meena was awakened by strange noises and discovered the two, along with three unidentified men, packing up valuables.
“I tried to call for help but couldn’t. They threatened me. I saw my husband lying unconscious,” Meena stated from her hospital bed.
The gang forcibly removed Meena’s gold bangles and amulet, as well as Hemraj’s gold chain and rings, before ransacking the home. Meena soon lost consciousness.
It wasn’t until 9 AM the next morning, April 21, that Hemraj regained consciousness after relatives knocked on the door. They found the home in disarray and Meena semi-conscious. The couple was rushed to a private hospital in Hyderguda, where they are now out of danger.
Investigations revealed that Arpita had joined the household a month earlier through a recommendation by the family’s former maid, Bimla. When additional help was needed during home renovations, Bimla referred Indrabahadur, who sent Deepender on April 17.
“Arpita, Deepender, and three others carried out the theft and escaped with valuables. A case has been filed under multiple sections of the BNS,” said Kacheguda detective inspector Suresh Babu.
East Zone DCP B Bala Swamy confirmed a manhunt is ongoing. “We are tracking the accused and are confident of an arrest soon,” he said. Hemraj’s son, Abhishek, returned from Thailand on Tuesday.
