The festive season of Diwali turned sour for a Mumbai woman when she fell victim to a shocking theft after hiring a cleaning service through the popular No Broker app. Leena Mhatre, 55, a resident of Rishikesh Society in Dahisar East, an upscale locality in Mumbai, booked the cleaning service on October 21st, anticipating a sparkling clean home for Diwali celebrations.
Two cleaners arrived at her home the next morning around 9 am. However, after they left, Mhatre discovered that her cupboard had been opened and her gold jewellery, worth a staggering ₹4 lakh, was missing. Realizing she had been robbed, she immediately contacted the police to report the theft.
The Maharashtra Housing Board police swiftly swung into action, reviewing CCTV footage from the society. Based on the footage, they identified three individuals: Arbaz Khan (27), Santosh Omprakash Yadav, and Sufiyan Nazeer Ahmad Soudar. Khan, believed to be the primary suspect, was promptly arrested, while the other two were detained for questioning.
No Broker, the online platform used by Mhatre, took immediate action to prevent further incidents. The app blocked the IDs of all three suspects after the incident came to light.
The case highlights a critical concern about the lack of stringent background checks for service providers, especially in the context of domestic services. Investigating officer Sandip Gorde stressed the importance of companies conducting thorough background verification before hiring employees, including domestic helpers.
“We are investigating whether No Broker verified these employees before assigning them. As per regulations, not only cleaning staff but all service employees should undergo police verification before being hired, even if anyone hires a domestic helper. However, very few people comply with this rule,” Gorde said, as reported by the Free Press Journal.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for all those hiring domestic services – be it cleaning, maintenance, or other tasks – to prioritize thorough background checks and ensure the safety and security of their homes. The police investigation is ongoing, and further details regarding the case are expected to emerge.
