Santa came late, delivering New Year’s gifts instead of Christmas gifts. The police, who decided to celebrate New Year in a unique way, donned the role of Santa Claus, returning stolen goods to the rightful owners at their doorstep. The valuables ranged from gold jewellery to electronic goods and even vehicles.
Commissioner T. Suneel Kumar, who was part of the initiative, said, "There is no greater joy that getting back stolen property, that too when the police visit your doorstep to deliver your hard-earned valuables."
Annamalai K., DCP South, said that the initiative was aimed at connecting with the people, as well as instilling a sense of confidence in them, while also expressing commitment from the police. "We have returned around three kg of gold valuables from 18 cases of house break thefts detected in the past one-and-a-half months. We also ensured that the victims got back their lost valuables without any running around,” he said.
The initiative was met with mixed reactions with some people thinking it was a prank. Many became emotional and thanked the police for the gesture.
“One of the victims who had lost a scooter gifted by her husband began to cry as soon as we knocked on her door and handed over the key. The family had no words to express their gratitude when the police officer wished them happy new year,” an officer said.
Ravi D. Channannavar, DCP West, said the initiative would assure people that the police are here to protect and take care of them.
“Over a kg of gold valuables was handed over to as many as 18 rightful owners, along with a bouquet and a sapling,” he said.
One of the victims, who lives in the USA, was shocked when the police returned his stolen valuables in Kengeri. He said the gesture had changed his perception of the police, who are often subjected to criticism, an officer said.
The Whitefield police too received similar responses from six persons who received stolen valuables at their doorstep. “A series of house breaks happened last year in K.R. Puram. In one of the places, we obtained a fingerprint and zeroed in on Ramesh, a habitual offender from KGF, and recovered over half-a-kg of gold valuables, which were returned to the rightful owners,” said Abdul Ahad, DCP, Whitefield.