Family held hostage, robbed of Rs 10 lakh

Five assailants, armed with knives, barged into a 75-year-old businessman’s residence. They then held his family and fled with cash and valuables amounting to more than Rs 10 lakh.

Five assailants, armed with knives, barged into a 75-year-old businessman’s residence. They then held his family and fled with cash and valuables amounting to more than Rs 10 lakh.

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The incident took place at Farsh Bazar in east Delhi on Sunday morning, the police said.

“The incident occurred around 7:30am in the Shastri Gali at Farsh Bazar. The victim has been identified as Babulal Sharma,” said a senior police officer.

According to the police, Sharma runs a copper wire-manufacturing factory from the ground and first floor of his residence. He was reading the newspaper in his second-floor balcony when one of the assailants gagged his mouth.

“Sharma’s son Manoj and his children had gone for a morning walk when the assailants took him hostage at knife-point. They threatened him with dire consequences and asked for the keys to the cupboard that contained all his cash and valuables,” the officer said.

While one of the assailants overpowered Sharma, his associates cornered his wife, Angoori Devi, 68 and daughter-in-law, Rani.

“I was busy with some household chores when the men overpowered me. They were armed with knives and their faces were covered. They even misbehaved with me and injured my mother-in-law when she tried to resist,” said Rani.

“They took away cash and jewellery worth around R10 lakh besides $6,000 kept in the locker of the almirah. They also took my husband’s passport. Due to this, he will now have to cancel his tour to China,” Rani added.

“We have registered a case of robbery at the Farsh Bazar Police Station and are scrutinising the footage of the CCTV camera installed near the entrance to Sharma’s factory. Investigations into the matter are underway,” the officer added.