2 held for robbery at former DU professor’s house

The police arrested two persons in connection with a robbery at the house of a retired Delhi University professor in the Ashok Vihar area, officials said on Thursday.

The accused have been identified as Suraj, alias Akhil (32), and Sachin (29), both residents of Gautam Buddha Nagar in Noida, UP. The duo had been involved in more than 30 cases, including attempt to murder, theft, arms act and gambling.

The duo planned the robbery with the help of Sachin’s girlfriend, who worked as a domestic help in the retired professor’s house.

The accused fled with gold and silver jewellery, cash, mobile phones and a car from the house after tying up hands and feet of victims on February 17.

“The armed robbers threatened to shoot the victims and also beat them up. While fleeing, the accused also took away jewellery worn by the couple,” the police said.

The police scrutinised the CCTV footage, which revealed that the accused had left the victim’s car and hired a cab for GB Nagar. Officials said the cab driver was tracked who told the police that he had dropped the two near Pari Chowk, Greater Noida.

“After technical surveillance, the police identified and apprehended Suraj near Crossing Republic Mall, Ghaziabad. Based on his input, the police apprehended the mastermind of this crime and desperate robber Sachin from Gautam Budh Nagar, UP,” an official said.

During interrogation, Suraj and Sachin initially misled the police, but later confessed to their involvement in the robbery with Monu and Amit.

They revealed that they had assembled at Pari Chowk, Greater Noida, and took a cab to Ashok Vihar Metro station before reaching the victim’s house by an auto-rickshaw, it added.

“As per their plan, they entered the complainant’s house, held him and his wife hostage at gunpoint and tied them with torn bedsheets. They looted gold and silver jewellery, cash, mobile phones and a car. They abandoned the car near Wazirpur and took a cab back to Pari Chowk before splitting up,” the official said.

A portion of the stolen items, including a gold chain, silver coins and silver bowls, had been recovered from Sachin. The accused had been hiding separately until their arrest.