New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS): To dispose of mounting amounts of case properties, the Delhi Police has initiated a special drive from June to September 17 in which it has returned the stolen or robbed properties to their rightful owners.

The decision was taken after it was observed that a number of case properties relating to 'Jama Talashi' (body searches), inquests, Kalandras (undertakings to maintain peace) and under Section 66 of the Delhi Police Act (vehicles, mobile phones, laptops, cash, jewellery and domestic items) are lying in the 'malkhanas' (storerooms) of various police stations in Delhi.

"Delhi Police began a drive to return stolen properties recovered from thieves and robbers connected to a crime to its rightful owner after permission from the court. The list includes Rs 21.43 lakh cash, approx 5 kg gold jewellery and 5,000 vehicles," Police Commissioner S.N. Shrivastava said.

Moreover, five items of diamond jewellery, and 113 items of silver jewellery were also handed over to the owners after identification.

The maximum returns were of two-wheelers where the Delhi Police handed back 3,418 vehicles to their rightful owners.

A total of 432 four-wheelers were also identified and handed over to their rightful owners, as well as 146 TSRs returned to their respective owners after identification.

For quite some time now, the Delhi Police has been organising "Case property disposal Melas" at various places in the city to dispose of the case properties after completing proper formalities.