New Delhi: This is a tale which can rival the script of any good thriller film. This is the story of a person who is a thief and yet managed to live amid the respectable people of society, going undetected for more than a decade.
Amit Dutta, a 46-year-old burglar, had lived a double life for 13 years. During the day, he was a rich, friendly, and helpful neighbour who became a dangerous thief at night. However, his good luck finally ran out on the night of June 5, after he was caught by Howrah rural police trying to break into a home in Rajapur.
A day later, after questioning Amit, police arrived at his palatial home in Nodakhali and they were left bewildered with what they saw. The house is a three-storied one, and has many modern amenities including marble floors and chandeliers, a treadmill, and bathtub-fitted toilet. Ironically, Amit kept his property under CCTV surveillance to prevent robbery.
Currently lodged in police custody, Amit has reportedly claimed that he has paid ‘income tax’ for whatever he earned. Moreover, recently he went to Indonesia for a vacation and has also booked a sedan.
How did he operate?
The modus operandi of Amit Dutta was a mixture of simplicity and sophistication. He used to cross the Ganga and go from Budge Budge to areas in Uluberia, Rajapur, Bauria, and Panchla every morning. Then he used to change into tattered clothes and disguised as a ragpicker. It helped him to scout potential targets and since he was skilled in picking the locks of wealthy homes, Amit became a successful thief.
How was he caught?
The Howrah Police was investigating the theft of several lakhs worth of theft of cash and jewellery from Uluberia businessman Bhaktipada Mondal’s house when they received a tip of a potential break-in at another businessman’s home in Rajapur’s Haldarpa. The police waited in plain clothes, and caught Amit red-handed.
The arrest prompted police to dig up old case files in Uluberia, Nimdighi, and Rajapur police stations. When they arrived at Amit’s house, the police were left stunned. It is a sprawling home where Amit lives with his wife, son and daughter-in-law. The house has many luxurious items including a bathtub, chandeliers, air conditioners, gym equipment, expensive electronics, and a garden that is carefully maintained. He paid regular income tax and even went on a vacation to Indonesia.
According to reports, the police have described Amit has a very intelligent person who tried to misled law enforcement by giving contradictory statements and false identities. The incident has shocked the residents of Batanagar, who knew Amit as a friendly person, someone who was friendly and donated huge amounts of money to local clubs and took part in several social activities.
