Punjab government returns stolen property worth Rs.4.5 crore

Chandigarh, Feb 25 (IANS) The Punjab government returned to its original owners property, including cash, worth Rs.4.5 crore that was reported stolen and later recovered by police.

Among those who got back their stolen property, businessman Parkash Chand received Rs.40 lakh in cash from state Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal late Wednesday in Patiala, within 15 days of lodging a police complaint of cheating.

"It is an old practice where stolen property, recovered by police, keeps rotting in malkhanas (store-houses of police stations) with owners moving from pillar to post, to get the physical possession of recovered property.

Therefore, I had directed the police to get permission of the court for an immediate release of stolen property," said Badal.

Patiala is over 70 km from here.

"Every district would organise such functions, once every three months, to restore the property recovered in the last quarter. We want to bring a change in public perception about the working of the Punjab police and to gain their confidence," Badal said.

Interestingly, most of the property was recovered and restored to the original owners within 90 days of the lodging of theft complaints.

The property returned comprised Rs.2.19 crore in cash, gold jewellery worth Rs.1.21 crore, 6 trucks including one loaded with rice worth Rs.31 lakh, 29 cars including luxury SUVs worth Rs.71 lakh and 59 motor cycles and two-wheelers worth Rs.19.25 lakh.

Besides, electronic gadgets including laptops, computers, LCD screens, cameras, mobile phones and air-conditioners worth Rs.9 lakh were also returned to their respective owners.