Kolkata, Aug 24 (IANS) Kolkata Police have launched a search for a man accused of robbing an elderly woman, who had employed him as a servant, and attempting to murder her, an official said on Monday.
The police official said that a complaint was lodged on Sunday by the family of the elderly woman who has been admitted to a hospital for treatment.
Based on the complaint, the police have started an investigation into the case.
The incident took place in north Kolkata’s Jorabagan area.
According to the complaint, the woman was robbed of gold jewellery and cash worth Rs 70,000. When she sought to resist, the servant tried to kill her by tying a belt around her neck and pressing a pillow on her face. Although she somehow survived, she was seriously injured and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
Police said that the elderly woman lived on the fifth floor of a multi-storey building on Maharshi Debendra Road, and for the past few years, a man named Sanjay Ghosh had been working as a servant in her house and had earned her trust
On Saturday afternoon, after drinking heavily, he entered the woman’s flat and locked the door. At first, the woman did not suspect anything, and as usual, he inquired about how she was doing. Suddenly, he went to the kitchen, picked up a knife and placed it on her neck. As she started screaming for help, Ghosh turned on the TV and increased its volume so that the screams could not be heard outside.
According to the police, the elderly woman remained silent in fear of her life. The servant took the opportunity to rob her of a gold necklace and gold earrings she was wearing. He then snatched the key ring from her waist, opened her wardrobe, and took out Rs 70,000.
As he tried to escape, the woman started screaming, and he tried to strangle her with the belt. As she fought back, he sought to smother her with a pillow. She almost fell unconscious, and Ghosh fled with the money and jewellery.
The woman lay almost unconscious at home for several hours. Later, when others enquired about her, they found the door locked from outside, broke it open, and took her to a nearby hospital. Family members later filed a written complaint with Jorabagan Police Station, and the woman narrated the entire incident to the police from her hospital bed.
Police have started investigations, and investigators are examining CCTV footage of the area to ascertain from where Ghosh escaped. A search has also been launched for him.
–IANS
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