Cops clueless in Amritsar hostage, robbery case

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 24

Even after 24 hours, cops are groping in the dark in a dacoity case wherein three armed persons held a woman hostage and decamped with Rs 2 lakh in Pawan Nagar on Friday.

Jatinderpal, a plywood trader, was at his shop when the accused entered his house by posing as courier men.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Harminder Singh Sandhu said they were working on different theories and pointed out that role of an insider cannot be ruled out. He said the accused had their faces covered, thus CCTV cameras were of little help.

As per details, the three bike-borne persons came outside Jatinderpal’s house and asked him to come out.

Mother of Jatinderpal went out and asked about their identity, the trio said there was a parcel for Jatinderpal.

When his mother opened the gate, the accused demanded water. As the woman went inside for bringing water, robbers followed her and took her hostage by pointing a pistol at her. They took the woman to a room and took out Rs 2 lakh from almirah.

In the meantime, Jatinderpal reached home for lunch and rang the doorbell. The accused opened the gate and pointed a weapon at him. They later bolted the gate from outside and fled away on their motorcycle.

Sandhu said the police have scrutinised CCTV footage. He said the accused knew name of the victim and number of family members present in the house. He said role of an insider cannot be ruled out. “The police is working on different theories to crack the case and nab the suspects,” he added. A case under Sections 379- B (2) and 419 of the IPC has been registered.