Robbers hold woman hostage, flee after she raises alarm

A gang of four men, posing as electricity maintenance workers, barged into a businessman's south Delhi residence, held his wife hostage at gunpoint but fled after residents closed in when the victim raised an alarm, police said on Thursday.

A gang of four men, posing as electricity maintenance workers, barged into a businessman's south Delhi residence, held his wife hostage at gunpoint but fled after residents closed in when the victim raised an alarm, police said on Thursday.

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One of the assailants, later identified as Jaspal, a resident of the Dayalpur area, was apprehended by the 28-year-old victim's incensed neighbours who assaulted him before handing him over to the police.

"The incident was reported around noon when Rani was alone at her Ambedkar Nagar residence," said an officer.

According to the police, four men, posing as discom representatives, landed at Rani's door and requested permission to check the electricity meter.

However, an apprehensive Rani told them to come back later since her husband was away, police said.

"The gang forced their way in and pointed a gun at her, demanding to know where she had kept jewellery and valuables," the officer said.

Rani raised an alarm and residents from the neighbourhood, according to the police, soon gathered at the spot.

The gang brandished their weapons at the swelling crowd - but only three of them could flee, the police said.