Rs 5 lakh, jewellery looted in Panipat

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, March 22

Unidentified youths looted an industrialist’s house in Devi Murti Colony here on Thursday after holding all members of the family hostage. They decamped with Rs 5 lakh, jewellery worth more than Rs 15 lakh and other valuables.

The police said the youths entered the house of textile industrialist Sanjay Chaudhary around 4 am by scaling a wall and breaking a window grill.

Chaudhary and other members of his family were sleeping at that time. He had solemnised the engagement of his younger daughter, Subi, a few days ago. The wedding is scheduled in a few days.

The police said the miscreants first entered the room of Anmol, the son of Chaudhary, on the first floor and woke him up. At gunpoint, they took him to his father’s room.

All members of the family — Chaudhary, his wife Kiran, Anmol, two daughters and granddaughter — were held hostage. Chaudhary and Anmol tried to oppose the miscreants, but were assaulted. The women members of the family were also beaten up when they tried to save Chaudhary and Anmol.

The miscreants tied the hands of all members of the family and locked them in a bathroom before fleeing with cash and jewellery.

The incident came to light when a neighbour heard the cries of Sanjay’s family members. He informed the police and, subsequently, the bathroom’s lock was opened.

The DSP, Rajesh Lohan, said the case had been registered and five teams of the police were searching for clues about the miscreants.

“We have collected some clues from the house and CCTV footage. As of now, it seems six to seven youths robbed the family,” he added.