Trader, his neighbour shot dead for resisting robbery bid in Ghaziabad

Ghaziabad: A 40-year-old trader and a youth from his neighbourhood were shot dead by unidentified robbers for resisting a robbery attempt in Tronica city area of Ghaziabad in the early morning on Monday. Cops said that another youth also sustained bullet injuries and was admitted to hospital in a critical condition.

According to police, the deceased were identified as Dharamveer Sharma (40), grocery shop owner and owner of the house where the robbery was being committed and his neighbour Sonu Verma (22). Sonu's brother Babu Verma (19), also sustained bullet injuries in the firing.

The incident occurred around 3 am on Monday when nearly half a dozen robbers barged into Dharveer's house.

Neeraj Kumar Jadaun, Superintendent of Police (Rural), Ghaziabad said that the robbers had reached out to Dharmaveer who was sleeping out of his house and asked for drinking water.

"Dharamveer was sleeping at his shop situated in his house as some renovation work was under process. Around two men woke him up and asked to get them drinking water. When he went inside the house to get water, around eight robbers barged into the house while a few others stood outside to keep a watch," said Jadaun.

"Dharamveer's wife and three children also woke up and all of them were kept hostage at gun point for nearly half an hour and the robbers searched their house for valuables. However, when Dharamveer and his elder son tried to resist, the accused opened fire at them in which Dharamveer got critically injured and died. Meanwhile, two youths, Sonu and Babu, reacted to the sound of gunshot and rushed for help. The robbers also opened fire at them in which Sonu was killed while his brother Babu received bullet injury in his stomach and he is receiving treatment at GTB hospital in Delhi," added Jadaun.

Meanwhile, police have registered a case in connection with the incident.

"Based on the incident, an FIR under section 302 (punishment for murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 457 (tress-passing) of IPC has been registered. Four police teams have been formed to work out the case," he added.

The family members have alleged that the robbers fled away with a box containing some cash and jewelleries worth Rs 1.5 lakhs.