Neighbours rescue senior citizen from armed robbers

Brave residents of the Madhubansi Premlok Park society in Chinchwad nabbed four thieves on Monday who were trying to rob Nalini Savarkar, an 80-year-old woman staying alone in her flat.u00a0The robbers threatened Savarkar with a knife. Savarkar and one of the residents who came to her aid sustained minor injuries during the scuffle.

Narrow escape: Nalini Savarkar, who survived the robbery attack. She sustained minor injuries in the incident. Pics/Navnath Kapel

The suspects have been identified as Ajay Ramlal Chaudhari (20), Sujata Hanumant Harjana (21), Asiyana alias Pinki Kamrul Ansari (25), all from Bhosari and Laxmi Shivam Velian (30) from Bopodi. Alkesh Narayanbhai Joshi (36), a resident of the same society has filed an FIR in this case against the offenders.

The saviour: Alkesh Joshi

Joshi runs three medical shops in Hadapsar, Deccan and Chinchwad area. Speaking to MiD DAY Joshi said, "Laxmi was working at Savarkar's house since last year. She was aware that the woman was staying alone in her flat. Savarkar's son works in a private company in Thane and has settled there.u00a0

e="font-size: 12px;">He visits Savarkar's flat once a month. "Laxmi had visited Savarkar's flat on Sunday night under the pretext of offering her a flower. She confirmed that the woman was alone and planned the robbery on Monday morning."

Joshi added that around
8 am he had seen Laxmi and another woman strolling in the area. "After a while, I heard some noise from Savarkar's flat. Sensing trouble, I rushed to her house and saw that a boy and a woman were trying to overpower the victim.

They also tried to close the door, but I managed to get inside. Meanwhile I shouted for help and alerted my brother and other residents of the society. I snatched away the knife from Ajay's hand and in that scuffle I sustained some minor injuries. The society has 14 flats and is 30 years old.

Many senior citizens reside in the building and such an incident has happened for the first time in our society. Police should investigate the case properly because we suspect that Laxmi and her accomplices must have committed such offences in other areas too," he said.

An official from the Chinchwad police said, "We have recovered two sharp weapons, mobiles and Rs 1,500 in cash from the arrested accused. A case under sections 393 (attempt to commit robbery), 452 (house trespassing for assault) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code was registered against the miscreants."u00a0