According to police, locks of room nos. 12, 16, 17, 22 and 29 were broke open and cash and goods including a camera and a wrist watch valued at Rs 4,000 were stolen and rooms were badly ransacked. Hostel warden Ravi Brahmbhatt told Express Newsline that the theft took place between 9 and 10 a.m. when the hostel is virtually deserted and all resident doctors are on duty in the hospital or attending classes. However, the maidservant informed them around 12 noon only, he stated.

This is not the first incident of theft in the resident doctors' hostel. Washed clothes hung outside for drying and utensils have been stolen several times and telephone instrument of the hostel also stolen four times in the past, according to Brahmbhatt.

Recently, an attempt to steal the TV set from the common room of the residents was also made, Brahmbhatt added.