BPO cabs the new crime dens

Taking a lift in a call centre cab can prove to be dangerous as a number of gangs are believed to be operating in the city. They abduct, assault, rob and leave people stranded in the middle of the night.

Taking a lift in a call centre cab can prove to be dangerous as a number of gangs are believed to be operating in the city. They abduct, assault, rob and leave people stranded in the middle of the night.

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An NRI became the latest victim when he took a lift in a BPO cab on his way from the Sikanderpur Metro station on Wednesday night.

Ranjeet Singh (name changed on request), a resident of Vipul Belmonte apartments, is so shaken by the incident that he now wants to sell his house and move to the US.

Singh is a green card-holder and lived in the US for 11 years after completing his MBA. He recently returned to India and lives in Gurgaon where he works as an independent consultant.

“On December 1, I took the last Metro ride from New Delhi railway station to Sikanderpur. After reaching Gurgaon around 12.15am, I did not find any taxi or auto. I walked till Bristol Circle looking for some conveyance,” Singh recollected.

Then a white Tavera stopped next to him and offered a lift.

“Within seconds, I was pulled inside by four people and before I could realise what was happening, they started thrashing me. They had a big knife and iron rods,” Singh recalled. “I tried to resist them but was unable to do so. The driver sped fast and took me to the Faridabad road, which was completely deserted.”

The gangsters then stopped the car and started beating Singh again. The robbers then snatched his clothes, jacket, money, watch and even his ATM cards. After about 90 minutes, they dumped Singh at the same place from where they had picked him.

Though Singh hasn’t lodged a police complaint yet, residents of Belmonte met the deputy commissioner of police who has assured of action.

Action soon

The recent spate of crime incidents is making residents feel rather unsafe and vulnerable. The resident welfare association of Belmonte Apartments in DLF phase 5 sent out e-mails to increase awareness.

“After forwarding e-mails to residents, we received several replies from other victims too. We are also planning to carry out a march against the pathetic law and order situation,” said a RWA member of DLF phase 5, who did not wish to be named.

Not enough cops