Elderly woman held hostage, robbed of jewellery, cash

An 82-year-old woman living alone in Sector 27 was held hostage and robbed off jewellery worth several lakhs and Rs 37,000 by four miscreants in the wee hours of Tuesday. The four masked assailants carrying sharp-edged weapons entered the house...

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, Updated At : 05:08 AM Nov 27, 2024 IST

82-year-old Raksha Sharma who was held hostage and robbed off cash and jewellery in Sector 27, Chandigarh, early on Tuesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR

An 82-year-old woman living alone in Sector 27 was held hostage and robbed off jewellery worth several lakhs and Rs 37,000 by four miscreants in the wee hours of Tuesday.

The four masked assailants carrying sharp-edged weapons entered the house of Raksha Sharma residing on the first floor of an SCF (shop-cum-flat) while she was asleep. According to police sources, the assailants gained entry by climbing the grill guard of a transformer located adjacent to the house. The victim said that the door of her house was closed but not bolted as the gate on the ground floor had been locked from outside by the tea vendor who operates his business outside the SCF.

“Around 3.10 am I heard a noise of a door being opened and in no time three assailants entered my room,” she said. The assailants tied her hands, rendering her helpless and started threatening her. “They started asking for the keys of an almirah. I pleaded for my life and requested them to open my hands and assured that I won’t raise an alarm,” she said while narrating the ordeal.

The victim said that the assailants opened her hands and took keys from her. In the meantime, the fourth suspect also appeared, who was in the other room where all jewellery items had been kept. The victim said that the assailants forcefully removed the bangles she was wearing causing injury on her wrists. Around Rs 37,000 in the victim’s purse was also taken. The assailants stayed in the house for about 20 minutes. While fleeing they left a sharp-edged weapon at the spot.

The victim’s husband, who owns a tyre shop, had passed away in December last year. “I have a son who stays abroad,” she added.

Police sources said that the accused had an idea where the jewellery was being kept, indicating that someone known to the victim might be involved.

A forensic team also visited the scene to gather evidence. Meanwhile, a case has been registered at the Sector 26 police station. The footage of the CCTV cameras installed in the area is being scrutinised by the police.