The Mumbai Police Crime Branch has found that Rajesh Shetty, a 39-year-old history sheeter who was arrested in connection with a burglary on March 6, evaded long prison terms by plea bargaining. The accused repeatedly pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and got away with a lenient sentence.
Crime Branch officials said the Malad resident had 15 cases, including murder, registered against him in Mumbai and Thane. During interrogation, Shetty said, “ Apna head sirf ek hai saheb: HBT [I commit only one crime: burglary).” In legalese, a burglary is often referred to as ‘House Breaking and Theft’.
A Crime Branch officer said, “Shetty knew pleading guilty would attract a five- to six-month sentence, while pleading not guilty and awaiting trial would mean spending a longer prison term. His record shows he is a ‘zero recovery’ burglar. He sells the booty soon after the burglary.”
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Last December, gold and diamond jewellery worth over ₹80 lakh were stolen from the house of a businessman in Mulund and a case was registered with the Mulund police. An officer with the Property Cell, which probed the case, said, “An informant identified Shetty lurking near the house on the day of the crime. On checking Shetty’s record, we found his modus operandi involved identifying a house in advance, choosing the best time to burgle it, and doing away with the loot in 15 to 20 minutes.”
The Property Cell learnt that Shetty had been released from Thane Central Jail in June 2016 after serving a sentence. His regular hangouts were identified and he was finally picked him up from a bar in Malad.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Vinay Rathod said, “We have obtained his custody till March 14. Almost all of the jewellery, some of which was melted by the accused, has been recovered. We have also arrested the jeweller.”
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