TNN

New Delhi, Jan 28: This security lapse has left many top officers red-faced. A Japanese diplomat watching the Republic Day parade from the VIP enclosure was quietly relieved of all his valuables — contained in a small bag — by a deft thief. And this was from the most sanitized area, very close from where the President was seated.

This year's Republic Day saw the tightest security arrangements ever as the event followed an encounter in Noida in which two alleged terrorists were gunned down in the morning. About 35,000 policemen were on duty armed with spotters and sophisticated anti-aircraft guns. But not all the republic's men and horses could prevent the theft.

The bag — actually a large wallet with a strap — contained a diplomatic passport and ID card, Rs 15,000 cash, keys, credit cards and several membership cards including that of the India International Centre (IIC). The diplomat was not at all amused and filed a complaint with the police.

On the complaint of Naoki Ito, a 'minister' in the Japanese embassy, the police have registered a case. But more than 24 hours after the theft was reported from the high security area, the cops have not been able to make any headway.

The diplomat, in his complaint to police, said, ''I was sitting in section 11 of the enclosure where arrangements for VIP and VVIPs were made. The area was filled with metal detectors and it was very crowded.''

Police said that they are trying to ascertain who all were sitting around Ito when the wallet was stolen and have drawn a list of all VVIP/VIP invitees. ''The security personnel in the inner cordon will also be examined and we are also planning to run through the CCTV footage of the venue for any vital leads,'' the investigating officer added.

A senior police officer said, ''The minister has reported to us that he last saw his wallet at 9.15am. But when he checked again around 11am, shortly before the celebration was about to get over, he could not find it.'' A troubled Ito reported the matter to the security personnel after which a thorough search was conducted at the venue. But the wallet could not be found.

The incident has left authorities embarrassed and a complete probe into the theft is being sought. ''As there were a large number of VVIP and VIP guests, including heads of states, attending the all-important function, the security personnel did not allow any cop to enter the enclosure where Ito was sitting,'' said an investigating officer.

Speaking to TOI over phone from Chennai, Ito said, ''I had lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police but haven't heard anything from them yet. I had gone to watch the parade on invitation.'' Ito said he works as a minister with the political wing of the Japanese embassy in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, a case under section 379 (theft) has been registered at the Tughlaq Road police station.
Pickpocketing is one of the major organized crimes in the Capital. Last year alone, there were 5,469 cases of pickpocketing and 1,318 snatchings in the city.