Niece And Son In Law Robbed Rs 26 Lakh Of 70 Year Old Woman In Ahmedabd

Ahmedabad: A 70-year-old woman living alone in the Usmanpura area of Ahmedabad was robbed of cash and jewellery worth over Rs 26 lakh, by none other than her niece and son-in-law. The victim, Nitibala Brahmabhatt, had been living alone in Ishwarkrupa Flats in Modh Champaner Society. About a month and a half ago, she filed a complaint at the Vadaj Police Station after discovering that Rs 6 lakh in cash and gold jewellery valued at Rs 20.42 lakh had gone missing from her home locker on 31 March.

Initially, police suspected construction workers who had recently carried out renovation work at the residence, including plumbing, electrical, and painting jobs. However, the investigation took a new turn when no evidence of involvement was found against the workers. The case took a dramatic turn when police shifted their focus to family members. Eventually, it was revealed that the culprits were Nitibala’s own niece, Reenaben Brahmbhatt (44), and her husband Virendrakumar (46), residents of Anand Apartments in Old Vadaj.

During questioning, Reena, an employee at Gujarat University, confessed that she stayed over on March 31 under the pretext of Nitibala’s ill health. That very night, she opened the locker and stole the jewellery. Her husband, a physical education teacher at Seventh Day School in Maninagar, helped in executing the plan. The couple admitted to selling the stolen gold at Bhagyalaxmi Jewellers in Gandhinagar.

They used the proceeds from the sale, along with the stolen cash, to pay off mounting debts. Police have since recovered Rs 16 lakh worth of jewellery from the jeweller. The investigation, led by PI C.G. Joshi, remains ongoing as authorities work to recover the remaining amount and determine the full extent of the conspiracy.