Mumbai : Vasai witnessed a heist straight out of a movie script soon after the Raksha Bandhan celebrations. A highly educated woman, disguised as a man and armed with a meticulous plan, allegedly stole jewellery worth ₹1.5 crore from her own sister’s in-laws’ home. The accused, identified as Jyoti Bhanushali (27), works at a bank and was arrested within just 12 hours by the sharp-witted Vasai-Virar police.
Stock Market Loss Led to Crime
According to police, Jyoti suffered heavy losses in the stock market, prompting her to target the wealthy home of her sister’s father-in-law, Odhavji Bhanushali, in Shastri Nagar, Vasai. Already aware of where the valuables were kept, she plotted the theft carefully.
Heist in Filmy Style
The incident occurred on Sunday morning when the family was away for Raksha Bandhan. Disguised as a man, Jyoti approached the house under the pretext of enquiring about a flat for rent. She asked for water, then claimed there was a bathroom leak, luring the elderly Odhavji inside and locking him in. She quickly fled with two bags of jewellery and valuables worth ₹1.5 crore. The crime came to light only when Odhavji’s son and daughter-in-law returned home later that evening and freed him. They immediately lodged a complaint with the Manickpur Police.
Scarf Became the Key Clue
During the investigation, CCTV footage showed a woman carrying the stolen bags, her face covered with a scarf. Police recognised the scarf as belonging to the victim’s daughter-in-law’s sister. Acting on this lead, a Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar police crime branch team traced Jyoti to Navsari and arrested her, recovering the stolen valuables.
