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A major theft has been reported from Roger Shoe Industries, located along the National Highway in the Sikandra area, where burglars broke into a factory room and smashed open a safe, decamping with a large amount of cash and jewellery. Police have launched an intensive investigation, with CCTV footage revealing a suspect and two employees being questioned.
According to police, the theft occurred late on Sunday night, but came to light on Monday morning when factory staff discovered the broken door and alerted the owner. The incident has triggered concern in the industrial belt, given the scale of the theft and the apparent familiarity of the culprits with the premises.
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Cash and valuables shifted from home to factory
Police identified the factory owner as Deepak Budhiraja, a shoe exporter who resides in Lajpat Kunj. Officials said renovation work is currently underway at his residence, prompting the family to shift cash, jewellery belonging to his wife, silver items used for worship and other valuables to a locker inside the factory premises for safekeeping.
On January 19, a factory employee, Mahesh Gupta, called the owner in the morning to inform him about the theft. The owner reached the factory along with his wife and found that the door of a room on the first floor had been broken open and the locker inside tampered with.
Police were immediately informed, following which teams from the Sikandra police station reached the spot and began a detailed inspection.
CCTV footage provides first lead
During the investigation, police accessed CCTV cameras installed in and around the factory. Footage reportedly shows one suspicious individual moving inside the premises during the night, offering the first concrete lead in the case.
Officers said efforts are underway to establish the identity of the suspect captured on camera. Simultaneously, police have drawn up a list of all factory employees, collected their mobile numbers and verified details regarding who stays on the premises during night hours.
Value of stolen property under assessment
While the factory owner has not mentioned the exact value of the stolen items in his formal complaint, police sources said that during preliminary questioning, the amount of cash stolen was initially stated to be over ₹55 lakh.
Subsequently, investigators received information suggesting that the cash alone could exceed ₹65 lakh, apart from jewellery and silver items whose valuation is still being assessed. The family reportedly told police that they would disclose the precise value of the jewellery after completing a proper inventory.
Employee angle under scanner
Police officials confirmed that two factory employees have been placed under suspicion and are being questioned as part of the investigation. Officers said the nature of the theft suggests inside knowledge of where the cash and valuables were kept, strengthening the possibility of insider involvement.
Two police teams have been constituted to crack the case. One team is focusing on technical analysis and CCTV footage, while the other is conducting ground-level verification and questioning.
Sources indicated that police have also carried out search operations in Bateshwar, acting on intelligence inputs related to the movement of the suspects after the theft.
Possible recovery location identified
According to sources close to the investigation, police have received information about a possible location where the stolen cash has been concealed. However, officials declined to confirm details, stating that recovery operations are being conducted discreetly to avoid alerting the suspects.
Police said further action will be taken once corroborative evidence is secured.
Investigation ongoing
A senior police officer said the case is being treated as a high-value organised theft, and all angles—including employee involvement, external accomplices and possible prior surveillance of the factory—are being examined.
“The investigation is progressing and several important leads have been developed. We are confident of making a breakthrough soon,” the officer said.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
