East Delhi robbery an insider job: Cops

A day after a 22-year-old interior designer's east Delhi residence was burgled as three assailants allegedly held her hostage at knifepoint, the police have zeroed-in on three suspects after questioning more than 16 persons.

A day after a 22-year-old interior designer's east Delhi residence was burgled as three assailants allegedly held her hostage at knifepoint, the police have zeroed-in on three suspects after questioning more than 16 persons.

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Sources termed the incident 'an inside job' bordering on an economic offence since cash and valuables estimated to be above R1 crore have been reported missing.

"The point of entry is as friendly as it can possibly be; the so-called assailants seem to have entered through the main door of the three-storey house. They knew exactly where the cash and valuables were and the victim doesn't have a single scratch on her person," said a police officer.

On Tuesday, Aditi Jain was held hostage at knifepoint by three masked men before they decamped with gold jewellery meant for an upcoming marriage in the family and valuables worth several lakhs from her house in Surajmal Vihar.

"The assailants were also mindful of the fact that the floor they were targeting was under CCTV surveillance. They knew where the 'black-spots', which were partially sheltered from surveillance, were and moved in a pattern so as not to get recorded," the officer said.

The victim's father, Naveen Jain, owns and operates a wedding card-printing business in north Delhi's Chawri Bazar. His son and Aditi's elder brother Vivek is due to get married on February 7.

"We are in the process of questioning everyone from the family's maid to the colony's guard. Investigations are underway," said Prabhakar, DCP.