CHENNAI: A 48-year-old sanitary worker, Padma, returned 45 sovereigns of gold she found unattended on Sunday, to the police. The Pondy Bazar police traced the owners based on an earlier complaint.
Padma was on her routine shift at T Nagar on Sunday afternoon when she found the bag on a pushcart in Pondy Bazaar. Upon finding jewellery inside, she informed her supervisors and, along with civic officials, handed over the bag to the police the same evening.
Police inquiries revealed the bag was accidentally left behind earlier in the day by a jewellery trader while he was speaking to a friend near Muthamman Koil Street. When he realised that the bag was missing, he returned to the spot but could not find it. Following verification, the Greater Chennai Police (GCP) confirmed the bag’s ownership and returned the gold jewellery to the owner after due legal formalities.
Chief Minister MK Stalin also commended her act and presented a cheque for one lakh rupees as a token of appreciation.
As of today, the 45 sovereigns of gold that Padma handed over to the police cost Rs 45 lakhs.