Robbers knew it will be a loot

Robbers behind the daring raid on a car at Vivek Vihar in east Delhi, in which four employees of a petrol pump were robbed of R60 lakh, knew that the cash stash would be fatter on Saturday since there was a bank holiday on Friday on the occasion of Janmashtami. Faizan Haider reports

Robbers behind the daring raid on a car at Vivek Vihar in east Delhi, in which four employees of a petrol pump were robbed of Rs. 60 lakh, knew that the cash stash would be fatter on Saturday since there was a bank holiday on Friday on the occasion of Janmashtami.

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Jagmohan Singh alias Goldi, 37, a salesman with the Victory service station in Dilshad Garden in east Delhi, used to transport cash from the petrol pump to the Canara Bank branch in Vivek Vihar every day.

"There was more cash on Saturday because the bank was closed on Friday over Janmashtami. So the money was collection of two days. They used to take around 30 lakh every day to deposit in the bank but on Saturday they had Rs. 60 lakh," said a senior police officer, requesting anonymity. Goldi was driving the car while Vinod Kumar was sitting next to him. Jitender Kumar and Puneet were sitting at the back seat with two bags full of cash.

Goldi is employed with the petrol pump for the past 15 years and despite the fact that the robbery looks pre-planned, his cousin - Jitender Singh Shunty - the municipal councillor from Jhilmil area, has ruled out role of any insider.

"All the employees of petrol pump are trusted and are working there from the past many years. The owner is my old friend and we have given details to the police of those who were aware of the fact that Goldi used to carry cash every day and taking the same route," Shunty said.

The robbers had even planned an escape route and had parked a bike across the road so that they can flee towards the opposite side.

"A bike was parked on the other side of the road. Most probably they had more people waiting for them, a few metres away from the spot," the officer added.

The robbers shot 15 rounds during the raid, hearing which local vendors rushed to the spot and saw four men fleeing. They pelted stones at the robbers but they flashed a gun towards them and escaped.

Police said all the four robbers were wearing helmets, so that nobody could identify them. Hence, it will be difficult to get a sketch done, police said.

Condition of all the three injured is said to be critical as they have faced bullet injuries in the chest. "Goldi was the first one who was shot from point blank range. He was operated but is still unconscious. Others too, are unconscious," said Shunty.