SURAT: An 80-year-old garment businessman and his grandson were robbed of Rs 15.25 lakh in cash on Friday night near the city light area while returning home from their store.
Three unidentified robbers were riding moped and allegedly threw chilli powder on their faces before the loot. Umra police have registered an offence against unknown accused and are investigating.
According to police sources, Anand Lalchand Panjabi runs ‘Mahima fashion’, a ladies garment store at Moti Begumwadi while his grandson 18-year-old Yash Jethanand Aburani helps him in the business. On Friday night, both of them were returning home to Chandan park society in the city light area at about 9pm.
While passing near Tirth studio, a moped came in front of their car and the riders forcefully stopped the vehicle. Before the two could understand the situation, one of the moped riders opened the door on the driver side and sprinkled chilli powder on Yash’s face while also slapping him hard and trying to pull him out of the car. Meanwhile, another attacker sprinkled more chilli powder on the elderly man’s face too.
Amid the ruckus, a third accomplice looted two bags containing Rs 15.25 lakh cash from the car and the trio fled the scene.
Yash called up his father, who took them home. After their suffering from burning sensation became bearable, the duo went to Umra police station and filed a loot complaint. Police suspect the attack to be an insider job and said that the accused must be knowing about the money and their daily route. Cops are gathering CCTV footage from the area to identify the accused.
