Month after break-in, accused at large

MUMBAI: Even a month after a break-in at the house of 56-year-old Ashok Desai in Kokan Nagar, Bhandup, the police are yet to trace the accused. The ornaments and cash worth Rs 1 lakh were stolen from Desai’s house on Nov 23 when he had gone to Belgaum to attend his relative’s wedding. Since the case was filed, Desai has been running from pillar to post for justice, but police are yet to find the culprits. Desai, a resident of Gajanan Society, Kokan Nagar, had gone to attend his relatives’ wedding on Nov 20. Since the area is prone to thefts and several attempts of break-ins had earlier taken place, Desai had asked his friend Lalit Tarpe, 36 to keep an eye on the house when he was away. According to Desai, on the afternoon of Nov 23, Tarpe told him about the house break-in. Tarpe, in his statement, said he had gone to take rest at Desai's house on the noon of November 23. At around 3 pm, he went to his house for an urgent work, and when he returned in 15 minutes, found Desai's door broke open, and the cupboard open. He then informed neighbours, Desai told the police. Though a police officer visited the spot, since the First Information Report (FIR) was not registered then the amount of valuables stolen is not estimated. On November 26, after Desai returned, a case was lodged for theft in dwelling house (380-IPC). “A gold mangalsutra, a silver brick weighing 1 kg, few other silverware, a digital camera, dollers and cash total property worth of Rs1 lakh were stolen,” said Desai.