‘Last time, we failed to open locker’: Masked men return to advocate’s house, loot over Rs 3 crore

KURUKSHETRA: Four masked men allegedly broke into a senior advocate’s house in Kurukshetra after holding him and his wife at gunpoint, taking cash, jewellery, a licensed revolver and other valuables worth around Rs 3.15 crore, according to news agency PTI.The incident occured on Thursday evening, following which a case was registered at Thanesar City police station on the complaint of senior advocate Balwant Singh Walia.According to Walia’s complaint, he left his house around 9.30pm to walk his pet dog. When he returned around 10pm, he found the house ransacked and his wife lying on a bed with her hands and feet tied and her mouth covered with adhesive tape.The four masked men allegedly restrained Walia and threatened the couple at gunpoint before demanding cash and valuables. They allegedly told the couple that they had carried out a Rs 50-lakh burglary at the same house on March 20 but could not open the digital safes.The accused allegedly forced Walia to open two digital lockers and threatened to shoot the couple if he refused. They then escaped with Rs 17-20 lakh in cash, 1.5-2 kg of gold jewellery, around 4 kg of silver ornaments, utensils and idols, a licensed revolver, cartridges and other valuables, according to the complaint.Before leaving, the robbers allegedly damaged four CCTV cameras and took away the DVR. Walia also alleged that they demanded another Rs 80 lakh and threatened to return and kill the couple if they reported the incident to police.The accused allegedly locked the main door from outside and fled. Neighbours later reached the house after hearing an alarm, freed the couple and informed the police.Police and forensic teams visited the spot, while teams from the Crime Investigation Agency and local police began examining CCTV footage from across the city to identify the suspects. Security has also been deployed at Walia’s residence.Thanesar City SHO Devender Singh said a case had been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to robbery, criminal intimidation and other offences, along with sections of the Arms Act.Police said a separate case had been registered over an alleged burglary attempt at Walia’s house in March and that the investigation into that incident was continuing.Reacting to the robbery, former Haryana minister and Congress Thanesar MLA Ashok Arora alleged that the law and order situation in the state had deteriorated.Arora said Kurukshetra, once regarded as one of Haryana’s most peaceful cities, was now witnessing frequent serious crimes. He urged the administration to take immediate action to arrest the accused and restore public confidence in law enforcement.