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Sunday, July 01, 2007

Compromised

We live in DLF City Phase V, Gurgaon and because this is a DLF zone, we pay through our noses for things such as maintenance and SECURITY. On Friday, at around 3 p.m., we were informed that our house had been burgled. As we reached the apartment, we came to know that 6 other apartments in the complex had also been burgled. The burglars struck between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. and camped away with as much jewellery, cash and forex that they could stuff their pockets with. More than the fact that I lost my jewellery, including the mangalsutra, what is shocking is that someone broke into my house, that our security has been compromised.

All the doors had been forced open using a crowbar and one of the apartments even had a grill door, which had been broken. The police claim that DLF City Phase V is such a secure zone that they never felt the need to make this a part of their beat and was never under their radar. But they are investigating this case. The agency to which DLF has outsourced security of Phase V, LE Security, has not done anything since the incident occured and when questioned by the residents, the representative walked away from the meeting saying that he is not answerable to any of us.

All the while, we have found that the security situation in DLF properites has left a lot to be desired. Over the last few years, there have been several burglaries in these properties, but nothing ever happens and everything gets brushed under the carpet. The head of LE Securities, however, gets to take his family on vacations abroad, all sponsored by DLF, for exemplary security services provided.

It is very clear that the security guards have a hand in this. It is next to impossible for someone to break open 7 doors in broad daylight without anyone smelling a rat. Moreover, it seems too much of a coincidence that the security incharge for DLF V was on leave on Friday. Quite the same way that he had been when the earlier burglaries took place.

DLF mints money at our expense. And so does LE security. We pay them month on month, and we also pay them through our losses. Because at the end of the day, they also get a cut from the loot.

I want to be able to spread awareness about this incident, about the indifference of DLF staff and LE Security. We would like to get compensated for our loss. We would like to ensure that DLF, as big an empire as it may be, doesn't get away with this. Any suggestions and help would definitely be welcome.

18 comments:

sra said...

Raaga, I'm so sorry to hear of this - I'm glad that you wrote this post. I hope it spurs them to some action. I suppose you've sent DLF and LE Security a link to this post - that will make them sit up and notice, I think.
I don't know about Delhi, but I've noticed in my own apartment complex and a few others that the security personnel are hardly fit for the job - often, they are alcoholics, of doubtful integrity, sleep-deprived, weak and aged. And the agency that deploys them does not bother with residents' complaints. And we grudgingly accept it, because we think some form of security, sleepy and ineffective as it is, is better than none. I hope the situation changes for you and you recover your losses/get compensated for them.

Padmaja said...

I am so sorry to hear this and can totally understand your frustration.Hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel

Manasi said...

Hi Dear,
Very sorry to hear about the burglary.... it is very unfortunate that the lack of security or lets say the compromise of the same has led to loss. This once again highlights the fact that the personnel employeed are not scrutinised with the thoroughness they deserve. Hope u will send this lnk to the security company as well as newspapers. I do hope u will recover ur los items.

Pretty Woman said...

Hey! I am so sorry to read this! Bloody hell ya!!! I totally agree with you on the security, most of them are extremely ineffective and just stand everywhere.....for namesakes and are really small boys who you can just shoo away...forget protecting the residents!....I really hope you get back the stuff that means a lot to you, am sure!!

Raaga said...

Thanks all. I'm not sending them a link to this post, but am sending them a letter through regd post AD. Collectively signed by all the 14-15 victims. And I'm pulling every string to get media coverage.

Suganya said...

It is frustrating even to read yr post. I am sorry for yr loss. Hope you get yr things back. Take care!

Roopa said...

Raga i am so sorry to hear this! it is miserable unfortunate that even with security involved you have to pay up such high expenses.

Revathi said...

It is annoying to hear this. Will the responsible people pay a compensation or something to that effect? They Should!



What is "Forex" they stuffed their pockets with?

bee said...

dear raaga,
we are terribly sorry to hear about what you are going through. you must feel so violated.

take care, and do return to blogging soon.

bee and jai

Pritha said...

Hi, this is Pritha, one of the first victims of daylight burglary in Princeton in 2005. I would like all readers of the blog to know that I was accused of having engineered the robbery myself because I was a "single woman who entertained strange men and kept alcohol at home".

But the purpose of my writing here is that those of you who are interested and live in DLF complexes should do some digging on the antecedents of LE. Two years ago I had and it has led me to believe that LE is actualy a company owned by DLF itself and hence also the monopoly and arrogance. If you do a google, which I have tried in vain over and over again there is no indication that leads one to believe that it exists as an independent agency. the only information that is now getting thrown up is this blog. I cross-checked my suspicions with some senior journalist friends and they have all said the same thing. Therefore LE and DLF are one and the same and hence the desperate cover-ups. Except the fronts are different. Also, the media is under tremendous pressure from the DLF musclemen not to publicise anything adverse in the light of their recent IPO and todays announcement of property circle rates.

Raaga said...

Thanks Pritha. There is strength in numbers and I am not going to rest until this is taken care of. I am glad to have you by my side.

Pritha said...

I am with you all the way. Nobody listened to us back in 2005 including the pious bhajan singing ladies. We were singled out for ridicule. I am not going to let it happen again.

Dev said...

Get the article published in a Delhi news paper. The negative PR may propel them into some action. They are not going to start being accountable on their own.

Devasis

Keerti said...

Oh dear I am so sorry. last time I caught up with you,I had not read this...It is quite shocking. Though no bright ideas have come upon me as yet...i will let you know if something does...

Anonymous said...

Can't you take LE Securities to the COnsumer Court or something.
-gigo

marriedtoadesi.com said...

Raaga, I'm so sorry to hear this happened to you. And Pritha! I am stunned to hear that they accused you of being involved, and the reasons are so unjust. The world is so corrupt.

Hope you ladies can still remain happy, and not let this bring you down. Hope there can be a good resolution for you as well.
Good Luck.
Kanchana

Chitra said...

Arundhati, Am in a state of shock after reading this. Am so sorry...I really hope u fight this out. Will talk to u shortly

Anonymous said...

Hi raaga... i have lived in Delhi for 7 years before I moved to Pune. Your doubts and suspicions should be addressed. It is my sincere suggestion that u file a case in the National Consumer Forum against DLF for compromising ur security and against the security agency for looking the other way. Filing a case is a simple procedure... I have served on a consumer court bench as a judge and i know that the courts are abs consumer friendly. If u want any more advise or inputs I can get u the ref of a NGO that helps out citizens like u. It is run by a SC advocate who happens to be a champion of consumer redressal and empowerment. Do email me... And take action... Its the only way a good citizen such as u can spread the message. Don't take the violation of ur fundamental rights easily.