The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Crime by ‘insiders’ on the rise

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Saturday, Mar 29, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Crime by ‘insiders’ on the rise

Police ask residents to verify antecedents of those working for them, writes
L. Srikrishna

The arrest of a driver recently, who fled with over Rs.6 lakh in cash belonging to his employer, has again turned the spotlight on the need for checking the antecedents of the candidates before recruiting them.

Police say that despite repeated appeals to the public to get a background check done on those seeking employment in the houses such as domestic helpers/servants/car drivers, many ignore the advice. Theft cases involving those working in the house are on the rise, a police officer said, adding that the rate of recovery of the stolen properties in such cases is about 70 per cent.

In the case involving the driver, the employer was not aware of his alleged criminal background. The accused, A.Amul alias Augustine (27), was wanted in Saidapet and Mylapore police stations for theft cases. He had allegedly cheated his former owners to the tune of about Rs.3 lakh.

He used to win the confidence of the employer by posing as a youth with clean habits and always neatly dressed. Amul, who is a diploma holder in mechanical engineering, used to get close with the family members of the employer and kept track of where they went and whom they met. Over a period, the employer and his family members started trusting him. According to the police, the urge to make more money in life made him turn to such criminal offences seven years ago.

In another case last month, a young woman working as a domestic help in an apartment in Egmore escaped with some jewellery and mobile phones when the inmates were watching television in another room. When the police, following a complaint, sought the address of the accused, the family members were unaware of the details. According to them, they had appointed the woman only a month ago after a domestic help in a neighbouring apartment referred her name. When the police went in search of the domestic help of the neighbouring apartment, it was found that that she had left the job a fortnight ago.

Joint Commissioner of Police (North) M.Ravi said that it was important for householders to verify the antecedents of the domestic servants before recruiting them either with the help of some reliable persons/agencies or by approaching the nearby police station.

He said that employers recruiting drivers should check the driving licence and personal details of the candidate. Details about where he was working previously, why did he leave the job and whether he had any vices should be gathered. A few householders said they hesitated to approach the police to check the antecedents of the domestic helpers as not many personnel at the police stations took their request seriously.

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