A gang posing as visitors robbed nearly Rs 9 lakh in cash and jewellery from a house in Delhi's New Usmanpur on Sunday after allegedly tricking the family into letting them inside. According to police, the accused used a false claim that the homeowner had asked them to wait inside for him, allowing them to gain access before holding the family hostage. An investigation has been launched, and police are working to identify the suspects through CCTV footage and other evidence.
The incident occurred at around 1:30 pm when the accused arrived at the residence of Harishchandra, a social activist who was away from home at the time. The suspects reportedly contacted him by phone, claiming they had come to meet him. Harishchandra informed them that he was not at home and said they should have called before visiting. Shortly afterwards, his phone switched off due to a low battery, leaving his family unable to verify any further communication.
Taking advantage of the situation, the gang allegedly told Harishchandra's wife and three children that he had asked them to come inside, have tea and wait until he returned. Believing the claim, the family allowed the visitors into the house. Once inside, the accused allegedly turned violent, brandishing firearms and threatening the family. The victims later told police that the robbers repeatedly pointed guns at them, tied their hands with ropes and stuffed bandages into their mouths to prevent them from raising an alarm.
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The gang remained inside the house for nearly an hour, systematically searching every room for valuables. Police said the robbers escaped with approximately Rs 9 lakh in cash along with jewellery. Before fleeing, they also removed the home's digital video recorder (DVR) connected to the CCTV surveillance system, apparently in an attempt to destroy evidence that could help identify them.
After the accused fled through the rear gate, the family managed to alert the police. Investigating teams reached the scene and began collecting evidence. Officers have since started examining CCTV footage from surrounding areas to track the suspects' movements and reconstruct their escape route. Police are also trying to determine whether the same gang may have been involved in similar robbery incidents reported elsewhere in the city.
The case has highlighted the growing concern over criminals using deception to gain entry into homes before committing robberies. Investigators are continuing to gather forensic evidence and question witnesses as efforts intensify to identify and arrest those responsible. Police have urged residents to verify the identity of unknown visitors and avoid allowing strangers into their homes without proper confirmation, even if they claim to know a family member.
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