In a shocking case of desperation, the vice-principal of a Ahmedabad-based nursing college was arrested for stealing Rs 8 lakh from the college treasury to repay debts from online rummy gambling.
The accused, Suchi Rai, vice-principal at Shubham Hospital and Nursing College in Meghaninagar, attempted to disguise herself by donning a burqa and looting the college account office. However, her plan unraveled after CCTV footage revealed a distinctive birthmark near her right eye, helping the police identify her.
According to sub-inspector R M Chavda of Meghaninagar police, “We examined the CCTV footage overnight and spotted a clear birthmark on the suspect's face. This clue matched the vice-principal, whom we had already questioned on the day of the incident.”
Confronted with the footage, Rai confessed to the crime. A sniffer dog also confirmed her presence at the scene, sealing the case against her.
How the Theft Was Discovered
The incident came to light when college principal Soniaben informed Prahlad Parmar, the college and hospital's founder, about the missing cash early in the morning of July 22. The money, collected from students as fees, was stored in a safe in the account office — with the key left inside a drawer, which facilitated the theft.
Addiction Behind the Crime
During interrogation, Suchi Rai admitted that she had lost a large amount playing online rummy and resorted to stealing out of panic and desperation. So far, police have recovered Rs 2.36 lakh in cash from her. The remaining Rs 5.64 lakh, police said, had been transferred overnight to her online gaming wallet, which has been frozen pending formal seizure proceedings.
