An elderly couple was allegedly held hostage at gunpoint in their west Delhi’s home and robbed of cash and jewellery worth around ₹45 lakh by two men on Sunday night, the police said on Monday.
The couple was also assaulted by the accused in their Punjabi Bagh residence, they said. The accused ransacked the house and locked the couple in the kitchen before fleeing with the valuables, the police said. The robbers also took away the digital video recorder of CCTV cameras installed in the house, they said. One of the victims has been identified as 65-year-old Girdhari Lal, who runs a finance company.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Sameer Sharma said a case of robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code was registered at Punjabi Bagh police station after a complaint was filed by Mr. Lal.
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In his police complaint, Mr. Lal said his wife and he were alone at home on Sunday when someone rang the doorbell around 7.30 p.m. Mr. Lal opened the door and found two men waiting outside. They told him they had taken a loan from his company to buy a truck and wanted to pay an instalment. As soon as the victim invited them inside his house, the duo whipped out their guns and threatened to kill him if he raised an alarm. The accused allegedly assaulted him when he refused to tell them where the cash and jewellery were kept in the house. Hearing the commotion, Mr. Lal’s wife rushed to his rescue and was thrashed as well, said a senior officer.
“The robbers ransacked the house and fled with valuables worth nearly ₹45 lakh. The couple started crying for help as soon as the duo fled. The neighbours rescued them and called the police. Footage from CCTV cameras in surrounding areas is being checked. We are also in the process of interrogating the staff at victim’s finance company,” the police said.