Two Thomas Cook staffers stage robbery to steal `2.20 crore in forex

NEW DELHI: Two employees of Thomas Cook India Limited , who had stolen foreign currency worth `2.20 crore in cash, have been arrested. The police also claimed to have recovered the cash.

Deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said on Monday that a complaint was received from the Noida Police that two Thomas Cook assistant managers were robbed of cash in Connaught Place when they were transferring the money to their branch there.

Police said at 9.30 am on Monday, assistant manager Sumit Kumar was handed over `2.20 crore in foreign currency for transferring the amount to the Connaught Place branch.

Kumar’s seniors in the company approached the police at around 2pm. They said that Kumar’s phone was switched off and that there was no information about his whereabouts.

“Kumar later called up his company from Noida alleging that he had been robbed. His company officials reached Noida and they informed us,” said Narwal.

Police said they questioned Kumar but he gave contradictory answers. He later broke down during interrogation and told the police that he, along with his friend Rohit Kumar, who also works as an assistant manager in the company, had planned to stage a robbery to steal the money.

Rohit’s brother Rahul was also involved in the crime.

A spokesperson for Thomas Cook India Limited said, “We confirm that a currency consignment that was reported stolen was recovered in its entirety and we place on record our appreciation for the timely intervention and support of the Delhi Police in recovering the same.”