Family held hostage by robbers

GURGAON: The Kalras living in part I of the city went through the most horrifying time of their lives when they were taken hostage for about half an hour by four masked robbers who barged into their house in the upscale Sector 15 on Sunday. The family was later locked inside a bathroom by the armed men, who made away with cash and jewellery worth over Rs 10 lakh, said police.A case of robbery has been registered against unidentified robbers at the Civil Lines police station and investigations are on. Barricades have been put up across the city and the NCR police has been alerted.
According to police, the incident took place around 11.30am when the houseowner, Rajendra Kalra, was away. "Rajendra's wife, Parveen, their three sons Sachin, Gaurav and Nitin and daughter Shalini were at the residence at the time of incident. The robbers slapped Parveen after she pleaded with them not to hurt anyone,'' said an investigating officer. The cops added that all four robbers were armed and easily gained entry to the house as the door was open. The robbers decamped with Rs 1.5 lakh cash and jewellery worth Rs 9 lakh, claimed the family members.
"I had left the house at 11am. An hour later I got a call from my son that dacoits had entered the house. I rushed back home and informed the police. It was a nightmare and my entire family is still living in fear. It is shocking that we are not safe inside our own house even during the day,'' said Rajendra, who is in transport business. According to police, the Kalras, who belong to Tawdu village, were about to shift from this house next week.
"The robbers first tied Parveen's hands and then held other family members hostage. They were carrying a knife and gun. The family is still in shock,'' said Ved Prakash Godara, DCP (west) Gurgaon.
Senior police officials said that before decamping with the booty, the robbers dragged the family members to a bathroom and locked its door from outside. The goons then fled in a white Santro car. Even as the victims shouted for help, none of the neighbours could hear their screams. The family members then managed to break open the bathroom door. The cops were informed two hours after the incident, Godara added. As the robbers had covered their faces, cops are relying on the details provided by fingerprints expert.
"We have put barricades across the city and have alerted the NCR police. Fingerprint experts have been called in and we are also taking the help of dog squad. So far, we have got no clue about the robbers,'' the DCP said.
Police, meanwhile, plan to take the statement of each family member as soon as they recover from the incident. "The family's statement will be crucial but right now they are in shock and are not able to reveal any details. We are hoping to get some idea about the robbers such as the language they spoke, their accent and also physique. It will make it easier for us to nab the unidentified assailants,'' said SHO, Civil Lines police station.