CHENNAI: A Chromepet resident who left behind 50 sovereigns of gold jewellery worth more than Rs 20lakh in an autorickshaw on Wednesday evening, after his daughter’s marriage, got it back within hours thanks to the driver. Police later felicitated the autorickshaw driver Saravana Kumar.
After the wedding at a hall in Chromepet, a police officer said, Paul Bright, a businessman, was going home in an auto carrying the gold jewellery in a bag and was busy talking over the phone throughout the journey. After he got off at his residence, Saravana Kumar collected the fare and took off. A little while later, he noticed the bag on the back seat and was wondering about how to return it to its owner. He didn’t have Paul’s phone number.
In the meantime, Paul and his family members noticed the bag missing and panicked as they were preparing to send the bride to her in-laws’ house. He immediately lodged a complaint with the Chromepet police, but could not recall the auto’s registration number. A case was registered and police checked the footage from cameras along the routes he travelled and managed to locate the autorickshaw. They found the vehicle was registered in the name of Saravana Kumar’s sister. Before a police team could reach the spot along with Paul, the driver reached the station with the jewellery. It was handed over to Paul who was in tears, said the officer.
Police personnel at the station presented a bouquet to the autorickshaw driver who, however, did not think too much about his act. “I panicked on seeing the huge jewellery bag. I know honesty will help me till my life ends. I have never overcharged my passengers,” said Saravana Kumar.
Another officer said it was rare to see such honesty in these times.