<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru">Bengaluru</a> reported over 300 cases of theft allegedly by domestic workers in 2023 and 2024, a new trend in a city bursting at its seams with the people coming from all parts of India. </p><p>While 320 cases were recorded in 2023, the number rose to 382 in 2024. Before 2023, theft cases in which domestic workers were involved never crossed 300. The annual average between 2015 and 2022 was 206. However, the detection rate hasn't kept pace, staying in the 40-60% range due to many factors, including the difficulty in recovering the stolen valuables.</p><p>There have also been several cases of false alarms and false accusations. </p><p>Deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) posted in Bengaluru said the city’s rapid expansion has created big demand for domestic workers. However, many employers leave their valuables unattended and fail to run background checks of workers, they added. </p><p>"Before hiring a house help, employers should verify their Aadhaar, phone number and other documents. This will instill a fear of getting caught and prevent potential thefts," said Lokesh B Jagalasar, DCP (South).</p><p>Officers have pointed out a few common decisions employers take after they onboard domestic servants that may lead to possible error of judgment.</p><p>DCP (West) S Girish noted that some employers entrust their domestic workers with house keys. DCP (Southeast) Sarah Fathima pointed out that many employers provide their domestic workers access to crucial information about where valuables and keys are kept. </p><p>In January, Bellandur police arrested a cab driver who allegedly used a duplicate key to burgle his former employer’s house when no one was around. Investigations revealed that the driver was previously entrusted with house keys and had secretly made a copy. </p>.Gang breaks into ATM, flees with Rs 30.2 lakh in Bengaluru.<p><strong>Staying safe</strong></p><p>Jagalasar explained that if homeowners plan to be away for more than one night, they should inform the local police so that police can arrange patrolling. </p><p>Further, the state government's Seva Sindhu portal allows individuals to check the background of prospective domestic help, the DCP noted. </p><p><strong>Investigation challenges</strong></p><p>Girish explained that while the low detection rate of domestic workers' theft cases is due to several factors, it's important to note that there are also many false alarms. Sometimes cases are filed against workers even when valuables are merely misplaced or when the culprit is an insider, he added. </p><p>"Investigating domestic workers' thefts is delicate as there have been cases where innocent individuals were falsely accused and interrogated, causing them to take extreme steps such as suicide," Girish said. Four police constables were recently convicted for beating a suspect to death during the investigation of such a theft reported in 2016. </p><p>Police are now relying on investigation techniques such as finding fingerprints at the crime scene, reviewing CCTV footage and conducting polygraph tests. "Polygraph tests help prevent wrongful accusations and aid investigation. Last year, we solved a domestic worker's theft in Kengeri using this test,” Girish stated. </p><p>According to Jagalasar, even after making arrests, recovering the stolen valuables can be difficult, leaving many cases unresolved. </p><p>"In many instances, suspects are from other states. Without proper identification, it’s difficult to track them down,” Jagalasar explained. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru">Bengaluru</a> reported over 300 cases of theft allegedly by domestic workers in 2023 and 2024, a new trend in a city bursting at its seams with the people coming from all parts of India. </p><p>While 320 cases were recorded in 2023, the number rose to 382 in 2024. Before 2023, theft cases in which domestic workers were involved never crossed 300. The annual average between 2015 and 2022 was 206. However, the detection rate hasn't kept pace, staying in the 40-60% range due to many factors, including the difficulty in recovering the stolen valuables.</p><p>There have also been several cases of false alarms and false accusations. </p><p>Deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) posted in Bengaluru said the city’s rapid expansion has created big demand for domestic workers. However, many employers leave their valuables unattended and fail to run background checks of workers, they added. </p><p>"Before hiring a house help, employers should verify their Aadhaar, phone number and other documents. This will instill a fear of getting caught and prevent potential thefts," said Lokesh B Jagalasar, DCP (South).</p><p>Officers have pointed out a few common decisions employers take after they onboard domestic servants that may lead to possible error of judgment.</p><p>DCP (West) S Girish noted that some employers entrust their domestic workers with house keys. DCP (Southeast) Sarah Fathima pointed out that many employers provide their domestic workers access to crucial information about where valuables and keys are kept. </p><p>In January, Bellandur police arrested a cab driver who allegedly used a duplicate key to burgle his former employer’s house when no one was around. Investigations revealed that the driver was previously entrusted with house keys and had secretly made a copy. </p>.Gang breaks into ATM, flees with Rs 30.2 lakh in Bengaluru.<p><strong>Staying safe</strong></p><p>Jagalasar explained that if homeowners plan to be away for more than one night, they should inform the local police so that police can arrange patrolling. </p><p>Further, the state government's Seva Sindhu portal allows individuals to check the background of prospective domestic help, the DCP noted. </p><p><strong>Investigation challenges</strong></p><p>Girish explained that while the low detection rate of domestic workers' theft cases is due to several factors, it's important to note that there are also many false alarms. Sometimes cases are filed against workers even when valuables are merely misplaced or when the culprit is an insider, he added. </p><p>"Investigating domestic workers' thefts is delicate as there have been cases where innocent individuals were falsely accused and interrogated, causing them to take extreme steps such as suicide," Girish said. Four police constables were recently convicted for beating a suspect to death during the investigation of such a theft reported in 2016. </p><p>Police are now relying on investigation techniques such as finding fingerprints at the crime scene, reviewing CCTV footage and conducting polygraph tests. "Polygraph tests help prevent wrongful accusations and aid investigation. Last year, we solved a domestic worker's theft in Kengeri using this test,” Girish stated. </p><p>According to Jagalasar, even after making arrests, recovering the stolen valuables can be difficult, leaving many cases unresolved. </p><p>"In many instances, suspects are from other states. Without proper identification, it’s difficult to track them down,” Jagalasar explained. </p>