Indian swimming legend Bula Chowdhury has once again fallen victim to theft at her ancestral home in Debaipukur, Hindmotor, Hooghly, marking the fourth such robbery at the property.
According to reports, the burglars gained entry by breaking open the back door. They made away with several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri, the President’s award, as well as multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals, along with several foreign honours. Household damage was also reported, with the culprits even stealing small fixtures such as a bathroom tap and a Lakshmi Ghat.
Bula, who now lives in Kolkata with her family, only visits the house occasionally. The property is primarily managed by her brother, Dolan Chowdhury, who resides there with their grandparents. Speaking to the media, Dolan voiced his deep frustration, pointing out that the home had been targeted thrice before. Despite lodging repeated police complaints, the robberies continued. A police picket that had once been stationed at the house was later withdrawn, leaving it exposed to further incidents.
Following this latest break-in, officers from North Uttarpara police station, including IC Amitabh Sanyal, visited the site as part of an ongoing investigation. The family has formally filed a complaint, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the culprits.
For Bula’s family, the repeated thefts have left a lingering sense of insecurity. Dolan also questioned how ordinary citizens manage to protect themselves when such crimes occur despite prior police awareness of the threats.
