In a serious security breach, Rs 50 lakh worth of cash and gold was stolen from the malkhana of Delhi Police Special Cell at Lodhi Colony in the early hours of Saturday. Head Constable Khurshid, previously assigned to the malkhana, has been arrested in connection with the theft.
The malkhana, a secure storehouse within police stations, holds case property and valuables seized during investigations. The Special Cell’s malkhana typically contains more valuables due to the sensitive nature of anti-terror cases it manages.
Khurshid served as the assistant to the malkhana in-charge and also acted as the duty officer. An FIR was registered on May 31, and he was arrested and sent to police remand the same day.
Sources revealed that Khurshid made duplicate keys to access the malkhana located on the ground floor. Since no signs of forced entry were found, the theft went unnoticed initially. It is believed Khurshid carried out the crime while the duty officer was asleep.
Staff, unaware Khurshid had been transferred from the Special Cell to Northeast Delhi on May 24, mistakenly allowed him access, assuming he was still posted there. Khurshid allegedly took the keys from a box and stole the cash and gold.
The open door of the malkhana raised suspicion the next morning, prompting an alert among staff who reviewed CCTV footage that implicated Khurshid. He was arrested from his home in Northeast Delhi.
Investigations suggest Khurshid might have stolen items from the malkhana about six weeks earlier as well. Officers had been searching for missing items, assuming they were misplaced.
The Special Cell police station maintains strict multi-layered security with six to seven personnel on duty, including officers from Nagaland Police, armed guards, and checkpoint officers. Despite this, the theft occurred under Khurshid’s insider access.
The probe is ongoing to uncover any additional details or accomplices linked to the case.
