Sajid Nadiadwala robbed of Rs 48 lakh

Prabhat Tripathi (22), who worked and lived in Sajid Nadiadwala's office, barged into his home and fled with cash and gold

New Ocean View Building, Versova, where Nadiadwala lives.

Prabhat Tripathi (22), who worked and lived in Sajid Nadiadwala's office, barged into his home and fled with cash and gold

The Mumbai police are subjecting firms that supply security personnel to more intense scrutiny after Prabhat Tripathi (22), a security guard, robbed film producer Sajid Nadiadwala at gunpoint yesterday.

Tripathi allegedly barged into the sixth floor apartment of Nadiadwala in Versova and robbed Rs 8 lakh in cash and gold worth Rs 40 lakh after his wife Barkha answered the doorbell at 3 am. Tripathi, who was working for Tiger Securities, Oshiwara, owned by Gurmeet Singh Shera, Salman Khan's bodyguard, used to live and work at Nadiadwala's office. Shera will be required to give proof that he has procured all mandatory licences, and undertaken the character verification of the guard.

According to DCP (Licencing) Vijaysingh Jadhav, "It is mandatory under Section 4 of Private Securities Agencies (Regulation) Act 2005 to register themselves, failing which the proprietor can be either sent to one-year imprisonment and/or fine of Rs 25,000. We have asked the divisional ACP to tighten checks on security firms and employees."

Shera, Salman Khan's bodyguard, who owns Tiger Securities. PIC/RANE ASHISH

Senior Inspector of Police, Versova, Suresh Nalavade informed MiD DAY that six people had been detained so far, including security guards of the building and servants in the Nadiadwala household. "We want to know if any insider had tipped the accused about the large amount of cash in the house," Nalavade said. "Only those who have free entry to Nadiadwala's house will know that the film producer used to keep such large quantities of cash at home. It is not clear if the valuables were insured," said another officer. Nadiadwala could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Police sources said that enquiries have revealed that Tripathi, who hails from UP, was selected in the police force during the Mulayam Singh regime. For unknown reasons, the recruitment process got cancelled and Tripathi, who owns a country-made revolver, came to Mumbai a few months back in search of employment.