Raipur | A sensational theft case from Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur district has exposed a troubling story of greed and breach of trust within a family. An RTO officer’s niece has been named the prime accused in the theft of gold and cash worth nearly Rs 5 crore from her uncle’s house. Police have so far detained five people in connection with the case, including the woman’s boyfriend.
According to the police, the incident took place in Keradih (Rainidad) village under the Narayanpur police station limits of Jashpur district. During the investigation into the burglary at the residence of RTO officer Vijay Nikunj, startling facts came to light. The probe revealed that the crime was not carried out by outsiders but was meticulously planned from within the household itself.
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Investigators identified the officer’s niece, Meenal Nikunj, as the main accused. She had reportedly been staying in the same house for some time, giving her unrestricted access to the premises and its valuables.
During interrogation, Meenal reportedly confessed that the theft began with a relatively small temptation—buying an iPhone. She allegedly stole around Rs 2 lakh from the house for this purpose. When the missing money went unnoticed by family members, her confidence grew. She then carried out a second theft of approximately Rs 3 lakh, which again did not raise suspicion.
Encouraged by this, Meenal allegedly teamed up with her boyfriend, Anil Pradhan, to plan a much larger theft. Police officials said that in the third and biggest act, Meenal removed a suitcase filled with cash and gold jewellery from the house and left without informing anyone.
According to police estimates, the suitcase contained about Rs 15 lakh in cash, gold biscuits and ornaments. The total value of the stolen items has been assessed at nearly Rs 5 crore, based on current market prices. Soon after the theft, Meenal and Anil reportedly went into hiding.
With a sudden windfall at their disposal, the duo began splurging heavily. Police said they purchased a luxury car worth Rs 25 lakh using the stolen money. They also booked a villa in Raipur to celebrate a birthday, spending nearly Rs 5 lakh within just three days on parties and leisure.
The sharp rise in spending and lifestyle changes eventually drew police attention. The case took a dramatic turn when the accused told investigators that the stolen suitcase had itself been stolen during a party near Ranidah Waterfall, close to Jashpur. Police found this claim suspicious and intensified the probe.
Given the scale and seriousness of the crime, Superintendent of Police Shashimohan Singh constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to handle the case. Using technical surveillance, location tracking and sustained raids, the SIT traced the accused to a hotel in Ranchi, where all five suspects were arrested.
During searches, police have so far recovered assets worth Rs 51.82 lakh. The seized items include a luxury car, three gold biscuits, Rs 86,000 in cash, three mangalsutras, and multiple iPhones.
Senior police officials said efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining stolen gold and cash. Investigators are also examining whether the stolen money was invested elsewhere or concealed at other locations. The role of additional individuals, if any, is also under scrutiny.
Police officers described the case as a stark example of how personal greed and misplaced ambition can lead to serious criminal acts, even within families. Interrogation of all accused continues, and officials indicated that more arrests are possible as the investigation progresses.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
