Woman robbed of ` 1.4 lakh

Citizens of Mumbai are paying the price for ignoring police warnings on employing domestic help without references and background checks.

Citizens of Mumbai are paying the price for ignoring police warnings on employing domestic help without references and background checks.

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A 42-year-old woman was assaulted and robbed by two men she had employed 10 days earlier without any checks or police registration on Thursday.

The two men robbed the Vile Parle (East) resident of gold and cash adding up to Rs 1.4 lakh.

The victim, Bharti Hirpara, a resident of Shantilal Apartment on PM Road hired the two men to do household work on September 7 without bothering to check their background. “They approached Hirpara on September 7 and asked her if she was looking for servants and she hired them without bothering to inquire about them,” a police official said, requesting anonymity.

On Thursday, the duo reached the flat around 10.45 am, after Hirpara’s husband Bhupendra (48), a businessman, and their two children had left home.

Finding their employer alone, one of the two men went to the kitchen and pulled out a knife while the other man got a laundry bat from the bathroom.

“Hirpara managed to get to the living room and shouted for help,” said Ramnath Aamre, senior police inspector, Vile Parle police station.

One of her neighbours heard her shouts and rushed to her help. She was taken to Cooper hospital and released after treatment on the same day.

“Despite requests, people still employ domestic help without verification,” said Aamre. “With the help of the watchman’s and the victim’s description of the duo, we will be preparing their sketches.”