The Jalandhar Police has arrested three robbers for targeting a 65-year-old NRI Praveen Khatra in Lajpat Nagar that took place in January 14. As per the information, one of the robbers, 27-year-old Gurdeep Singh, a resident of Nijatam Nagar is related to the victim. The police have taken Gurdeep, along with his two friends, 23-year-old Krishna who is a resident of New Rasila Nagar, and 19-year old Sonu who is a resident of Grover Colony (originally from Muzaffarpur), on two-day police remand.
ADCP City-2 Harinder Singh Gill talking about the incident informs that on the afternoon of January 14, three robbers had broken into Praveen Khanna’s house in Lajpat Nagar and stole two gold bangles, earrings, a ring along with some cash amounting to Rs 18,000 from a cupboard. Following the incident, a case of robbery was registered at Police Station-6. Later, a team comprising ACP Parminder Singh, SHO Balwinder Kaur and Sub-Inspector Narinder Mohan were successful in tracing the three robbers with the help of CCTV cameras during an 8-day investigation. The motorcycle used in the robbery has also been recovered and as of now an interrogation is underway to recover the gold jewelry.
As per the information, the robbers have admitted to their crime and also confessed that this was their first crime. However, regardless the police are conducting a through probe into determining any past criminal activities. As per reports, Gurdeep is unemployed and a drug addict. He became friends with Sonu and Krishna who worked in a factory and they too were drug addicts.
Praveen Khanna is Gurdeep’s maternal grandmother and the accused has visited her house before the incident that is when he noticed the jewellery she was wearing. Gurdeep was aware that his grandmother lived alone on the ground floor while the upper floor was occupied with nursing staff of a private hospital. While his visit when he saw the jewelry his grandmother was wearing he developed ill intentions in that very moment. Later he informed his friends about the same and told them that his maternal grandmother was very old and timid. He also added that due to fear she would not raise any alarm or create trouble, and hence they thought they would be able to make a safe escape.
For orchestrating the robbery, Sonu’s bike number plate was removed and Gurdeep was the one who rode the bike. All the three accused had their faces covered during the robbery, Gurdeep threatened the woman with a sickle while Sonu took off her jewelry and the third accused took the money from the cupboard. After the robbery, they fled on their bike. However, during probe the police were able to trace back the link and apprehend them.
During questioning, the robbers confessed that they had partied after the robbery and consumed drugs.