Indore: A group of men entered Varma Union Hospital at Dhar Road and looted aged hospital owner’s wife of valuables worth Rs 5 lakh and cash. The incident took place around 4 am on Saturday on the second floor of the hospital where hospital owner Dr RC Varma and his wife Dr Shyam Varma reside. Dr Shyam Varma and a nurse were in her room when four persons entered from the room’s opened door and asked to hand over valuables. They were masked and armed with sticks. They forcefully removed jewellery from Dr Shyam and later took away Rs 70,000 from Dr RC Varma’s room and fled. The accused were captured in CCTV but their faces are not clear due to masks. Before committing robbery, accused had stolen the car from Aerodrome area in which they reached hospital. Police were clueless about the robbers till late night. Superintendent of Police (west) Suraj Verma said more CCTVs of hospital and the exit points are being examined to identify the accused. Police could not get any clue till Sunday night.
Dr Shyam told police that she woke up at 3.30 am when everything was fine. She again slept when the robbers entered and woke her up. They held Shyam and nurse captive and broke open the almirahs. One of the robbers tried to attack Dr Shyam but she told them to pick up valuables from her and her husband’s almirah. She told police that robbers took away her three gold rings, two bangles and a gold chain worth around Rs 5 lakh. The rings were studded with diamonds. In addition, they also took away Rs 70,000 from Dr RC Varma’s room almirah. Sources claimed that woman’s son was sleeping in another room and he was unaware about the incident. Dr Shyam said she is a heart patient and doctor has advised him to take rest. She is unaware about the entry of robbers in the hospital. Possibly, the robbers entered in the hospital from the front door as it always remains open for the patients.
Mobile phone shop Before the robbery, the accused stole the car, which was used in the crime. Then, they stole five mobile phones from a mobile phone shop in Aerodrome area. During investigation, police came to know that car belongs to a medical store owner Anshul Jain of Aerodrome. Aerodrome police station incharge Ashok Patidar said four masked persons were captured in the CCTV while stealing car around 3.28 am in Manushri Nagar. They also entered shop of Akash Chouhan and took away mobile phones from there.
Question on police alertness
The robbery that took place in city’s western part raised a question on patrolling of police. Though police claim to have increased patrolling in every part of city, such incidents reveal the truth. However, a senior police official said police patrolling has been increased and police patrolled near the spot a few minutes before the incident.
Professional gang involved?
The incidents seemed to be planned. Police believed that car stealing, theft at mobile shop and then robbery at hospital was committed by professional gang, which did not leave any clue. Police are investigating the role of gangs operating in neighbouring districts. Some suspects are also being questioned.
