Valuables worth Rs 80 lakh stolen in broad daylight from Ggn hotel

GURUGRAM: Lapses in security at Gurugram's Leela Hotel were exposed once again, after a bag containing jewellery worth around Rs 80 lakh was stolen from within the prominent five star hotel's premises on Saturday.

An FIR in this regard has been filed at DLF Phase-II police station and district police have begun investigation in the case.

Police have reason to believe some hotel staff may be involved in the theft.

The complainant Bhushan Sawhney, a resident of Noida, told Gurugram police that he had booked a room at the hotel on Saturday for the marriage for his niece.

They had put expensive jewellery in a black bag, which was whisked away by unknown people during the marriage ceremony.

As per the complainant, the stolen articles includes two gold-diamond sets bought for the groom, one gold-diamond set bought for the bride, two diamond sets, a pair of bangles and some cash.

Accusing the hotel of gross mismanagement, the complainant pointed out that the security cameras, which would have been crucial in catching hold of the culprits, were not functional at the hotel.

Some of the cameras which were functioning also showed blurred images.

Sawhney added that even after the hotel management got to know about the incident, the security staff refused to close the entry and exit gates of the hotel or set up security barriers.

It may be noted that two days ago, another major robbery took place at the basement of Ambience Mall, located close to the hotel, where a guard fled away with Rs one crore.

The stolen money was supposed to be filled in ATMs in the area.

Though robberies are a major challenge for law enforcement agencies in the city, a serious concern is the high number of thefts that are taking place during large wedding ceremonies.

Recently, a complaint was filed wherein robbers, who had entered a wedding party on the pretext of being guests, stole lakhs of rupees in Sector-57.

"As the population of the city increases, crimes like robbery also will be reported on a large scale.

"We have taken cognisance of the case and are taking necessary action. In most such thefts, we have been successful," said a senior police official from Gurugram police.