Sadar Bazar businessman killed as fleeing robbers open fire

A 44-year-old businessman was killed and two sustained bullet injuries when robbers opened fire while fleeing after a failed robbery attempt on Bahadurgarh Road in Sadar Bazar here on Saturday.

Sunil Kumar and Shiv Bahadur were on their way to deposit Rs.50,000 in the Khari Baoli branch of Punjab National Bank in a cycle-rickshaw around 10-30 a.m. when four armed men waylaid them and tried to rob them.

The robbers first snatched a bag containing a tiffin box, but the duo offered resistance when they tried to snatch %the other bag containing the cash.

When the two got down from the rickshaw and began running towards a building in Gali Dal Mill, the robbers fired at them. Hearing the gunshots, curious locals and passers-by gathered at the spot.

“Seeing a big crowd gathering at the spot, the robbers abandoned their plan and fired several rounds in the air and hurled abuses at the crowd while fleeing. One of the bullets hit a businessman who was standing in the balcony of a nearby building. He died on the spot. Two more persons in the crowd sustained bullet injuries. The robbers escaped on motorcycles which they had parked in a nearby street,” said Praveen Jain, a BJP Councillor from the area.

The deceased, Nilesh Kumar, owned a brass components manufacturing unit in Ahiran Gali in Sadar Bazar. He was a resident of Saraswati Vihar.

The injured have been identified as Sulai Kumar and Ramchander, who was hit on the leg. The two have been admitted to Bara Hindu Rao Hospital.

Sunil and Shiv work at Sant Singh Ramlal’s shop in the area.

Following the incident, locals staged a dharna demanding arrest of the robbers. “We staged a demonstration for over three hours. Criminals seem to be having a free run. Businessmen are being targeted in every part of the city. It has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity,” said Pawan Kumar, president of the Federation of Sadar Bazar.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagar Preet said: “We have registered a case. Preliminary investigation suggests that there were at least four robbers.”