Nepali couple accused of drugging and looting Bengaluru doctor

KATHMANDU, Dec 8: A Nepali couple employed as domestic help has been accused of drugging their employer and looting jewellery, cash, and other valuables from the home where they had been working.

Dr Lalita K. M., a 54-year-old gynaecologist from West Bengaluru, Karnataka, reported that she woke up unconscious on the morning of 3 December. She alleged that the Nepali couple had stolen her jewellery, cash, and valuables before fleeing.

According to The Times of India, the family had hired the couple a month earlier through a local intermediary. They had been given accommodation on the ground floor of the three-storey house.

On the night of the incident, Dr Lalita’s son, Nikhil, a college student, had taken medication for a fever and gone to bed early. The following morning, he discovered his mother lying unconscious on the floor. When he went to check on the domestic workers, they were missing. On reaching the ground floor, he realised the couple had already absconded with their belongings.

The family rushed Dr Lalita to a nearby hospital for treatment. Upon inspecting the house, Nikhil found that a 50-gram gold mangalsutra, 20 grams of gold bangles, a mobile phone, and other valuables were missing. Once partially conscious, Dr Lalita also confirmed that cash stored in a drawer had been stolen.

Reviewing CCTV footage, Nikhil found that the male worker, identified as Bipendra, entered the house at around 8:30 p.m. with two associates. At around 10:45 p.m., they were seen leaving with bags containing stolen items. The footage showed the group had remained inside for more than two hours.

“Because I had a medical test on 3 December, I took my medicine early and went to sleep. The workers took advantage of that, drugged my mother, and escaped with the valuables. She is now stable,” Nikhil said.

A police officer stated that negligence by the family had contributed to the incident. The couple had been hired with minimal background verification. “They only knew the man’s name—Bipendra. No details about his wife were recorded. No identification documents were checked,” the officer said.

A case has been registered at Byadarahalli Police Station under the relevant section of the Indian Penal Code relating to theft by household employees. Police have launched a search for the absconding Nepali couple.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North-West) D. L. Nagesh said, “We constantly advise citizens to verify domestic workers, collect ID proof, and record basic details. Whether hiring domestic help or security staff, people must go through proper channels.”