‘Hammer man’ attacks woman in Malabar Hill

A 50-year-old woman was brutally attacked with a hammer and then robbed of ornaments worth Rs1 lakh by an unidentified person at her Malabar Hill residence on Tuesday.

A 50-year-old woman was brutally attacked with a hammer and then robbed of ornaments worth Rs1 lakh by an unidentified person at her Malabar Hill residence on Tuesday.

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The victim, Pratibha Thakkar, a resident of Shivam Building, sustained serious injuries on her skull and face and is currently admitted in the ICU of Jaslok hospital. The police said they were yet to take her statement.

The incident is a grim reminder of similar assaults on four women in 2006.

Thakkar, who was widowed in 2008, lives with her son, a production manager. They own two of the three flats on the sixth floor. She also has a daughter who is married and stays in Matunga, the police said.

According to the police, Thakkar was alone at the time of the incident.

The victim’s brother-in-law Girish said the accused rang Thakkar’s doorbell around 3.30pm. “She had opened the door partially. The man told her that she had got a refund of Rs1,500 and showed her an envelope,” said Girish.

“As soon as she opened the door completely, the man pulled out a hammer and started hitting her on the head. He then snatched the diamond-studded chain that she was wearing and fled using the staircase,” said Vinay Bagade, senior inspector, Malabar Hill police station.

Although bleeding profusely, Thakkar immediately called her sister-in-law Meenashri, a resident of Altamount Road, who rushed her to Jaslok hospital.
“My sister-in-law needs surgery for the damage to her skull and face,” said Girish.

Bagade said a case under sections 397 (robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 452 (house trespassing after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint) was registered.

The police suspect that two men who had repaired Thakkar’s air conditioner last month may have been involved. “We have detained them. We are also preparing a sketch of the accused,” said Bagade.