A man allegedly drugged seven family members at his in-laws’ home a day after his brother-in-law’s wedding reception and stole the bride’s jewellery worth Rs 8.5 lakh from a cupboard she had brought from her parental home.

The accused, Partha Sarathi Ghosh, who runs a horticulture business in Behala, has been arrested. “He had mixed sleeping pills with the food. To stay awake, he skipped dinner, saying he was not keeping well. He admitted he entered his brother-in-law’s room and stole the jewellery while all other family members were asleep,” an officer of Beleghata police station said.

Abhijit Das and Dolly had tied the knot last Sunday and the reception was held on Tuesday. On Wednesday, apart from the newly-wed couple, Das’s parents, elder sister, her husband and their son were at home.

On Thursday, Ghosh had left for his home with his wife and son. Shortly thereafter, Dolly discovered the theft. “We were examining the family members one by one when we learnt that the groom’s brother-in-law and sister had left for their home,” an officer said. “Following prolonged questioning, Ghosh admitted to the crime.”