Hyderabad: In a daring late-night robbery in Karimnagar, a gang of masked dacoits stormed the residence of an 80-year-old man, assaulted him and his family members, and fled with 66 tolas of gold, ₹21 lakh in cash, silver articles and two motorcycles, with police probing the possible involvement of the victim’s son-in-law in the sensational robbery.The incident, which occurred at Bhagat Nagar in the early hours of Wednesday, triggered a massive police hunt. It comes just months after the sensational PMJ Jewellery store robbery in the town.
According to police, Azmat Ali was coming downstairs around 12.30 am to switch off a light when a group of unidentified men overpowered him. The assailants reportedly dragged him to his first floor residence, tied his hands and legs, and gagged him by wrapping a cloth around his face.“I resisted them hard. Since my face was wrapped, I had difficulty breathing,” Azmat, who suffered bruises on his cheek, recalled.The accused then attacked his wife Mehamuda Begum and two daughters, Sajida Bhanu and Afreen, who were inside the house, and restrained them in a similar manner. They also sustained injuries, including head injuries. Throughout the ordeal, the gang allegedly threatened to kill the family members by brandishing guns and knives.The assailants forced the family to hand over the keys to the almirahs and looted gold ornaments, silver articles and cash. They also allegedly snatched jewellery worn by the two women before locking all four of them inside a room. Before fleeing from there, the gang allegedly stole two motorcycles belonging to a tenant staying in the building.“The accused used a mask to hide their faces, and their Hindi dialect was similar to people from Uttar Pradesh. I have suspicion on my elder son-in-law, Razauddin, who also hails from Uttar Pradesh,” Azmat said.Karimnagar police commissioner Gaush Alam said the complainant has doubts about his son-in-law and his elder grandson. “It was a year ago that the suspect Razauddin moved from Meerut in UP to Karimnagar and did business. But a month ago, he wound up the business and returned to his native place. While relocating, the suspect reportedly took away a car, which was given to him for local use by the complainant’s family. On this issue, there is a dispute between the complainant and suspect,” Alam said.Police said the complainant’s family informed investigators that criminal cases are reportedly pending against Razauddin and his son in Meerut. Razauddin was allegedly involved in a murder case. His wife, who is facing marital disputes with him, has been staying with her parents in Karimnagar and was present in the house when the robbery took place.After the assailants left, the victims raised an alarm. Residents living in a neighbouring portion of the house rescued them by opening the door. The family then informed Azmat’s son, who lives nearby.Police were alerted around 1.15 am. A team rushed to the spot and launched an investigation with the assistance of the Clues team. As news of the robbery spread, senior officers, including Alam, visited the scene. Special teams have been formed to trace the culprits.Investigators recovered a gun left behind by one of the accused, which was later found to be a toy weapon.Police are examining all angles, including the possibility of the accused having prior knowledge of the family and the valuables kept in the house.
