A `phantom thief’ walks the corridors of Jai Hind college

The towerbolts, as old as the college itself, were skilfully removed using proper tools, leaving behind an ugly patch on the recently painted doors.

And the 15-odd ceiling fans were recently purchased at approximately Rs 1,000 apiece. The college authorities are concerned that such an incident has occured during their golden jubilee year. A grave-looking Shivdasani had earlier addressed the students about this “very shameful act”.

Students, too, are mystified by the fact that only the towerbolts and ceiling fans have caught the fancy of the phantom thief. “There were many other expensive `easy pickings’ in our college, especially in the science laboratories. I wonder why the thief picked up only these two objects,” said a student. “It is not the value of the articles stolen or mutilated that matters, it’s the act that really disturbs,” said Shivdasani.

He suspects labourers who were recently employed by the college contractor. “You need carpenters’ tools to unscrew the bolts,”, he pointed out. But the possibility of a restless student being behind the incident.

Shivdasani said it was perhaps the first time in his three decade-long association with the college that such a bizarre incident had occurred.

Classes, meanwhile, continue with more than a few glances being cast towards the wobbling ceiling fans.