A businessman in Akola was the victim of a daylight robbery on Monday morning within the jurisdiction of the Ramdas Peth police station. The assailants reportedly assaulted the victim, tied him up, and confined him while they stole cash and gold jewellery from his residence. The incident has caused significant alarm among local residents, raising concerns about safety in the area.
The incident took place around 7:30am in the Naya Jeen area near Mohta Mill Road. Police have also launched a search for the accused and are working to establish how many persons were actually involved in the crime.
Ramdas Peth police station incharge Shirish Khandare told TOI that a complaint has been registered in connection with the incident and the complainant has been sent for a medical examination. Khandare said police were making efforts to identify and apprehend the accused at the earliest and that further investigation was underway. The victim, Vijay Gupta, runs Gupta Flower Oil Industries from the premises where he resides. Police are investigating whether the suspected employee or any of his associates had prior knowledge about the valuables kept at the residence and whether the robbery was planned in advance. No individual’s role has been conclusively established so far. Police reached the spot soon after the incident and began collecting evidence. CCTV footage from the surrounding area is being examined to identify the suspects and trace their movements before and after the robbery. The exact value of the stolen cash and jewellery is expected to become clear after the complainant submits details and police complete the verification and investigation.
One of the suspected persons had been working as a hamal with Gupta for the past four to five years, according to the victim’s account. The family has alleged that the employee had recently started bringing another person with him.