In a swift operation, Meghaninagar police on Wednesday arrested a 38-year-old woman, vice-principal of a nursing college, for stealing ₹2.36 lakh in cash from her own institution. The accused, Suchi Prakashbhai Rai, allegedly committed the theft to recover losses she incurred from online rummy gaming.
Initially registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the case had remained unsolved. However, under the guidance of senior officials, a special team was assigned to investigate. Through CCTV footage analysis and on-ground inquiries, police traced and arrested Rai around 12:20 pm on July 23.
A resident of Shahibaug and originally from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Rai was serving as vice-principal at Shubham Nursing College. According to police, she had stolen a total of ₹8 lakh from the college over time. Surveillance footage showed her wearing a black burkha to conceal her identity during the theft.
Despite earning ₹47,000 per month, Rai had been addicted to online gaming for the past 5–6 months and reportedly lost several lakhs. In desperation, she plotted and executed the theft within the college campus.
The college management grew suspicious after finding financial discrepancies and checking CCTV footage. Investigators noticed distinctive eyewear and visible features, which pointed to Rai. After sustained questioning, she confessed.
Recovered from her possession:
- Cash amounting to ₹2.36 lakh
- A black burkha used as disguise during the theft
Further investigations are underway to check for her involvement in other such incidents. The case has also brought attention to the growing issue of online gaming addiction and its real-life consequences.