2 Delhi airport employees steal $2,500 from US citizen, arrested

A case was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 303(2) (theft) after a complaint was filed by the passenger, Roshan Patel, a US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holder.

Patel had arrived in Delhi from the United States on September 11, 2024, and realised that her green camouflage bag, containing $2,500 and other personal belongings, was missing. The bag was later recovered and deposited at the Lost & Found department by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, but upon retrieval, the cash was found missing, said the police on Thursday.

A police team meticulously analysed CCTV footage from various cameras at the airport. The footage confirmed that the bag was not tampered with at the terminal, compelling the police to shift the focus of the investigation to the Lost and Found department staff. After thorough interrogation of the department staff, suspicion eventually fell on Kumar and Chand, who initially denied their involvement but later confessed when confronted with CCTV evidence showing them tampering with the bag inside the Lost and Found office, added the police.

During questioning, Kumar allegedly revealed the details of the theft. “On 12th September, 2024, a CISF staff member deposited the alleged bag in their office. While he (Gaurav Kumar) was handing the bag over to Prakash Chand in the T-2 LP room, he discovered $2,500 inside the bag. Overcome with greed, he suggested to Prakash that they could keep the money and divide it between them. To which, Prakash agreed, and they each took $1,250. The accused Gaurav also revealed that he had deleted the entry of the $2,500 from the system, with Prakash’s complicity. Later, they exchanged the stolen currency at a money exchange office in Connaught Place, Delhi, and equally distributed it between them,” said Usha Rangnani, Additional Commissioner of Police (IGI Airport).

Both the accused have been sent to judicial custody.

“We have a zero tolerance policy towards any unethical behaviour at Delhi airport. We are fully cooperating with the investigating authorities,” A DIAL official told The Indian Express.