Eight Held for Ashok Vihar Knifepoint Robbery of Businessman's Wife

Delhi Police have apprehended eight individuals, including two minors, two days after a businessman’s wife was held hostage at knifepoint during an armed robbery at their residence in northwest Delhi’s Ashok Vihar.

The adult suspects arrested by police have been identified as Naman Sharma, 24, Deepak, 24, Dinesh, 38, Ansh Sharma, 22, Sahil, 31, and Aryan, 22. In addition to the six adult suspects, police took two 17-year-old juveniles into custody. The apprehensions and recovery of cash were made following multiple police raids conducted across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Punjab.

According to Joint Commissioner of Police Vijay Singh, one of the two 17-year-olds allegedly emerged as the mastermind behind the crime. The teenager was a former employee of the victim’s husband and had been sacked from his job recently.

The incident took place on August 19 at around 11:35 am, when the 54-year-old woman was alone at her Ashok Vihar home. Upon hearing the elevator, she opened the door of the residence. Two men standing near the staircase asked her for water. When she refused to open the door any further, the men allegedly forced their way inside the flat and overpowered her. One of the intruders pulled out a knife and threatened her.

Two more accomplices then entered the house. The suspects allegedly tied the woman's hands and feet with packing tape and gagged her to prevent her from raising an alarm. The intruders then ransacked the house for approximately 20 to 25 minutes before fleeing the scene with cash and valuables.

Police said the gang had planned the robbery carefully, having conducted a month-long recce of the house, the family members, and their daily routine before executing the crime.