2 held for jewellery thefts from deceased Covid-19 patients in Mayo Hospital

 

 

 

Tehsil police arrested two persons for stealing the belongings of persons who had died from the novel coronavirus at the Covid-19 facility at Mayo Hospital. The accused are employees of Speak and Span company. The police have recovered stolen valuables including gold ornaments and mobile phones from their possession. The accused have been identified as Ganesh Uttam Dekate (24), a resident of Plot No. 40, Wanjra Layout, Parvati Nagar, Kalamna and Chhatrapal Kishore Sonkusre (25), a resident of Old Mangalwari, Lakadganj. According to police, The Speak and Span Company has been given a contract to pack the dead bodies of Covid-19 patients. Both Ganesh and Chhatrapal have been appointed by the company at Mayo Hospital.

 

The duo used to steal jewellery, mobiles and cash from the dead bodies. A few days ago, the father of Anjali Girjaprasad Tiwari (22) passed away while undergoing Covid-19 treatment at Mayo Hospital. The two had stolen Girjaprasad’s mobile phone while packing his body. The girl noticed that her father’s mobile phone was missing. She lodged a complaint at the Tehsil police station. An offence under Section 380 of Indian Penal Code was registered by the police. Earlier too, the police had received complaints of theft of jewellery and mobile phones from Mayo Hospital. Commissioner of Police (CP) Amitesh Kumar directed Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone III) Lohit Matani to arrest the thieves. Under DCP Matani's guidance, Tehsil Police Station’s Senior Police Inspector Jayesh Bhandarkar, PI Baliram Pardeshi, PSI Swapnil Wagh and staff including Laxman Shende and others started searching for the thieves.

 

After receiving the information that Ganesh and Chhatrapal are wrapping the dead bodies, they were picked up by the cops for questioning on suspicion. They spilled the beans after being grilled by the police and confessed to the crime. They admitted to stealing mobile phones, jewellery and other materials from the patients and the deceased. The duo also stole PPE kits, gloves, injections and other supplies from the hospital. The police have recovered the stolen valuables collectivelly worth Rs 1.68 lakh from their possession.

 

The police have arrested them for involvement in five thefts. They will be produced in court on Wednesday. The police are also investigating involvement of other members in the crime.Tehsil police staff including Shailesh Dabole, Nazeer Sheikh, Shambhusingh Kirar, Pankaj Dabre, Yeshwant Dongre, Krishna Chavan, Gagan Yadav and Ashwini were also part of the investigation team.