The theft occurred when Pakwan hotel owner and family had gone to Rajasthan

Criminals burgled the house of a hotelier in Paldi and took away cash and jewellery worth over Rs9 lakh. The burglary took place in the house of Roop Singh Purohit, a resident of Taxshila society, Narayan Nagar under Ellisbridge police station.

DCP Zone I Brijesh Kumar Jha said, "This is the second such incident in Paldi in last few years in which the burglars have looted such big amount. The Ellisbridge police have lodged a case for house breaking and theft in this connection" In many earlier incidents in Paldi, sources said, burglars have looted property worth less than Rs2 lakh.

Nayan Shah, a contractor and Purohit's neighbour, said that on Tuesday night, Meeta Dave, the immediate neighbour of Purohits, spotted the broken locks on the main entrance and kitchen. Dave informed other neighbours about this and they entered Purohit's house only to find scattered household items. They then called Purohit to apprise him of the incident.

Ellisbridge police said the robbers may have entered the house from the rear side as the police found finger prints at various spots, including a fridge. The police also recovered a knife from the spot.

Purohit had gone to his village, Falna in Pali district of Rajasthan, with his family on Sunday. On Wednesday morning, he returned to his house to find the locks of the main entrance and kitchen door broken and cash and jewellery that he had kept in his store-well missing.

Purohit, who owns the chain of Pakwan restaurants in the city, is said to be well-connected, evident by the fact that several senior police officials, including DCP Zone I Brijesh Kumar Jha and DCP (Crime Branch) Abhay Chudasama, rushed to his house as soon as they came to know about the incident.

Purohit had gone to his village in Rajasthan to celebrate Shivaratri festival. His family members had left for the village on Sunday morning, while he left on Sunday afternoon from his hotel at SG highway.

Thieves made merry too

The criminals who robbed Purohits of cash and jewellery appeared to have an easy time in the empty house. Police sources said the burglars prepared tea in the house and also munched on snacks kept in the kitchen. Utensils used in making tea and empty biscuit wrappers were left in the kitchen. and a knife

Roshan Kumar/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication