Thaindian News

New Delhi, Sep 30 (IANS) Burglars broke into dancer-singer-actor Rita Ganguly’s house here and fled with mementoes, including one presented by late prime minister Indira Gandhi, police said Friday.

The burglars broke into the house, situated at Safdar Hashmi Marg in central Delhi Monday, police said. Ganguly told police that she discovered the theft when she entered her ‘pooja’ room at around 7 a.m.

“The burglars had broken the window frame,” the noted vocalist told police, which said the criminals might be minors as they entered through the window iron grills.

Ganguly, recipient of the Padma Shri in 2003 for her outstanding contribution in classical music, also told police that she was upset that a “heavy copper Saraswati idol, a gift from late Indira Gandhi, was stolen”.

“Antique items like candle stands, an idol, copper round vessel and a copper pot were stolen. No arrest has been made so far,” said Amar Deep Sehgal, the station house officer of Barakhamba Road police station where the case has been registered.

Ganguly also said that the burglars might have escaped through her neighbour, Indian Police Service (IPS) officer H.G.S. Dhaliwal’s gate.

Ganguly was surprised about the security provided by the Delhi Police.

“Strangely enough throughout the night my neighbour, who is senior IPS officer H.G.S. Dhaliwal, has a police guard posted just adjacent to my gate. Immediately behind my house is another IPS officer Shankar Das.”

“In spite of 24-hour security, how can one enter the house from the backyard,” asked Ganguly, who was also given the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Ghazal Gayaki in 2000.