New Delhi: In a meticulously planned heist straight out of a crime thriller, a 27-year-old law student has been arrested for allegedly masterminding a theft involving Rs 30 lakh in northwest Delhi’s Model Town. Police on Tuesday said three women, including the alleged mastermind, have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Bhisham Singh, the accused — identified as Rajni — enrolled in a law programme, recruited her associate Shilpi (19) to pose as a live-in maid at the targeted household, and used fake documents to avoid detection.
Shilpi assumed the identity of “Tanveer Kaur” with the help of forged ID proof and secured employment through a domestic help agency. Just two days after moving into the residence of Dr. Anil Raheja, she vanished with Rs 30 lakh in cash and a mobile phone.
The incident came to light on June 12, when Dr. Raheja alerted the police following the sudden disappearance of his maid. A case was registered under Section 306 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for theft by a servant.
दिल्ली मॉडल टाउन घर की नौकरानी ने 2 महिला साथी के साथ घर से 30 लाख नकद आईफोन चोरी की, मुख्य साजिशकर्ता जो LLB कर रही थी
— Lavely Bakshi (@lavelybakshi) June 17, 2025
स्पेशल सीपी लॉ एंड ऑर्डर रविंद्र सिंह यादव के नेतृत्व में डीसीपी भीष्म सिंह की टीम ने 48 घंटों में 3 आरोपियों को पकड़ा 23,07,500 नकद आईफोन बरामद @Ravindra_IPS pic.twitter.com/BSXmQuoDvN
Using CCTV footage and technical surveillance, police traced the suspects to Meerut. A raid led to the arrests of Shilpi and Rajni, while a third accomplice, Neha Samalty (25), was nabbed from Saharanpur.
Police recovered Rs 10.07 lakh, mobile accessories, and an empty phone box from Shilpi’s possession. Rajni was found with Rs 12.5 lakh in cash and the stolen phone. Neha was found in possession of Rs 50,000 and a mobile phone believed to have been used during the crime.
Preliminary investigations suggest that all three accused were first-time offenders lured by the promise of quick money. Authorities say Shilpi gained access to the household using fraudulent paperwork, having only worked at the residence for 48 hours before fleeing with the loot.
Police continue to investigate whether more individuals or similar rackets are linked to the incident.
