A retired Uttar Pradesh Police sub-inspector’s home in Budhana was targeted during the family’s 10-day absence, with relatives estimating the value of stolen gold, jewellery, cash, silverware and other valuables at around ₹2.5 crore.
Muzaffarnagar, India — A burglary at the home of retired police officer Deshpal Chaudhary in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district has raised questions about residential security and night-time surveillance after valuables estimated by the family at around ₹2.5 crore were stolen. The house is located in a residential area immediately behind the Budhana tehsil complex and about 20 metres from the official residences of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and Circle Officer (CO).
Key Highlights
- Retired sub-inspector Deshpal Chaudhary’s Budhana residence was allegedly burgled while the family was away in Shamli.
- The thieves reportedly broke the main entrance lock and locks on four rooms before searching cupboards, lockers and boxes.
- The family estimated the stolen property at around ₹2.5 crore, including more than ₹1 crore worth of gold jewellery, a diamond necklace, silver items and ₹2.5 lakh in cash.
- The stolen valuables included jewellery kept for the upcoming marriage of Chaudhary’s son Hemant in Roorkee in November.
- Police, forensic experts, a fingerprint unit and a dog squad examined the crime scene after the burglary was reported.
- Investigators are analysing CCTV footage from the Budhana tehsil area, the SDM-CO residence route and major roads connecting Shamli and Muzaffarnagar.
Retired police officer’s home targeted during family’s absence
Deshpal Chaudhary retired from the Uttar Pradesh Police in 2017 after serving at Jhinjhana police station in Shamli district. He lives with his wife Kusumlata, while his only son Hemant and married daughters Neetu and Kamini are also part of the family. One of his daughters is a lawyer working in Delhi.
About 10 days before the burglary was discovered, Chaudhary and his wife had travelled to Shamli to stay at his brother-in-law’s home. Their Budhana residence remained locked during their absence.
The burglary took place late on Thursday night at around 11 pm, according to the supplied account. The offenders allegedly targeted the vacant house, broke the locks and entered the premises.
Broken locks led to discovery of the burglary
The crime came to light on Friday morning when neighbour Vinay noticed that the lock on the main entrance had been broken. He contacted Chaudhary by phone and informed him about the condition of the house.
When the family returned from Shamli, they found that locks from the main entrance and several interior rooms had been broken. Cupboards, lockers and boxes had also been opened and searched, while valuables were missing.
How the burglars allegedly entered and searched the house
The physical condition of the property indicated that different tools were allegedly used during the break-in. The locks on the main external gate were damaged with heavy hammer blows, while metal and wooden doors inside the house were reportedly cut with a cutter.
The offenders then broke locks on four separate rooms and searched cupboards, lockers and boxes. The supplied account indicates that they selected high-value movable property rather than indiscriminately removing household items.
The household temple was also targeted. A metal idol of Lord Krishna, referred to as Kanha Ji, and cash kept in the donation box were reportedly stolen. The offenders also attempted to take a Lord Ganesha idol after wrapping it in cloth.
Jewellery and cash stolen ahead of family wedding
The family had stored a substantial quantity of jewellery and other valuables at the house because Hemant’s marriage was scheduled to take place in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, in November. Jewellery purchased for the future bride, ornaments belonging to both married daughters and inherited family valuables were among the property kept at the residence.
| Property Category | Quantity / Details | Value or Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Gold jewellery | 60 to 70 tolas, approximately 600–700 grams | More than ₹1 crore in wedding and inherited jewellery |
| Diamond jewellery | One special diamond necklace | High-value gemstone jewellery |
| Silver | Approximately 5 kg of silver utensils and jewellery | Value based on the stated market-rate assessment |
| Cash | Money kept in cupboards, lockers and the donation box | ₹2.50 lakh, reportedly kept for an advance wedding payment |
| Wedding clothing | Designer lehenga and gown for the future bride | ₹40,000 lehenga and ₹35,000 gown; total ₹75,000 |
| Family valuables | Jewellery belonging to daughters Neetu and Kamini and the parents | Accumulated family gold and gemstone assets |
| Religious items | Kanha Ji idol and donation box | Metal and religious value |
| Total estimated loss | Gold, diamond, silver, cash and clothing among the reported stolen property | Approximately ₹2.50 crore, according to the family’s claim |
Police and forensic teams examine the crime scene
After receiving information about the burglary, Budhana CO Gajendra Pal Singh and Kotwali in-charge Subhash Atri reached the residence with police personnel. Forensic and scientific investigation methods were initiated alongside the police inquiry.
Forensic specialists and the fingerprint unit collected chance prints and biological samples from surfaces including the damaged main gate, cut hasps, lockers and cupboards. A dog squad was also deployed to help identify possible entry and exit routes. The dog team reportedly indicated a direction towards the rear portion of the tehsil complex and the main road.
CCTV analysis focuses on possible movement routes
As part of the technical investigation, police teams are examining CCTV footage from cameras installed around Budhana tehsil, the route near the SDM and CO residences, and major roads connecting Shamli and Muzaffarnagar.
Investigators are also examining the possibility that information about the family’s absence and the valuables inside the house may have been known in advance. The timing of the burglary during the family’s prolonged absence and its occurrence before the scheduled wedding have made the possible role of a local informer or someone familiar with the household one of the angles being examined.
Security concerns emerge from the Budhana burglary
The incident has highlighted questions about residential security and the effectiveness of night-time policing in an area located close to government officers’ residences. The burglary has also drawn attention to the risks involved in keeping large quantities of gold, cash and other high-value property inside an unoccupied home for an extended period.
The supplied assessment recommends that families leaving homes vacant for long periods consider moving high-value valuables to bank lockers and formally informing the nearest police station or trusted neighbours. In the present case, however, the investigation remains focused on identifying the offenders, tracing the circumstances of the break-in and recovering the stolen property.
Police efforts are continuing through forensic evidence, CCTV mapping and technical investigation as authorities work to identify those responsible for the reported multi-crore burglary and recover the stolen valuables.
Quick Answers for Candidates
What was stolen in the Muzaffarnagar burglary?
The reported stolen property included gold jewellery, a diamond necklace, around 5 kg of silver items, ₹2.5 lakh in cash, wedding clothing and religious items. The family estimated the total loss at around ₹2.5 crore.
Whose house was targeted in the Budhana burglary?
The house belonged to retired Uttar Pradesh Police sub-inspector Deshpal Chaudhary, who retired in 2017 after serving at Jhinjhana police station in Shamli district.
How did police investigate the Muzaffarnagar burglary?
Police, forensic specialists, a fingerprint unit and a dog squad examined the residence. Investigators are also analysing CCTV footage from Budhana tehsil, the SDM-CO residence route and major roads connecting Shamli and Muzaffarnagar.
Why was so much jewellery kept at the house?
The family had stored jewellery and other valuables at the residence ahead of Deshpal Chaudhary’s son Hemant’s scheduled marriage in Roorkee in November.
Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Editor at The Nation Bulletin. With over 3 years of experience in digital journalism and news reporting, he covers national affairs, governance, and breaking current events with a commitment to factual accuracy and verified reporting.
