South Delhi office robbed with chilli powder
Two armed men robbed the cash box at a money exchanger’s office in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area with the help of this “friend”, reports Vijaita Singh.
If pepper spray is a woman’s best friend, it’s chilli powder for these urban men.
Two armed men robbed the cash box at a money exchanger’s office in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area with the help of this “friend”.
Police said the accused threw chilli powder in the eyes of a 26-year-old employee manning the counter before fleeing with the booty worth Rs 31,000.
The incident was reported around half past seven in the evening from a busy lane in Masoodpur market.
The man at the receiving end of the “friend’s” treatment was Ranjit Ranjan Mishra, who told the
police the men had not bothered to cover their faces while committing the crime.
“After entering the office, they whipped out a pistol and then threw chilli powder at Mishra. He moved away from his post in pain. The accused then cleaned the office of all the cash,” said a senior police officer who declined to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the media.
“I was not in office when the incident took place. My staff informed me that someone barged into the office threw chilli powder at Mishra and then fled with the cash,” said Pradeep Bhatia, the owner of the money exchanging office that was robbed on Monday.
Police said the accused fled from the main entrance and as the area is crowded, was lost in the crowd soon.
Mishra, who informed Bhatia and the police of the incident, is being quizzed for more details about the accused.“We have shown the photographs of criminals active in the area to Mishra but he has not been able to identify anyone,” said the officer.
“Though there are more men employed at the office, Mishra was alone in the office when the incident took place,” the officer added.
Police said the topography of the area is such that it does not allow an easy getaway. “We believe that someone might have provided information about the cash to the robbers. They might have visited the area prior to attacking it,” said the officer.
The police said they have registered a case under section 392 IPC (robbery) and are investigating the incident.