Robbery in Sector 26: Victim Attacked During Late-Night Ride
The Chandigarh Police have registered a case against an unidentified auto-rickshaw driver and his two accomplices for allegedly strangling, assaulting, and robbing a 26-year-old Shimla resident of ₹40,000 and personal documents in Sector 26. The incident occurred during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
The victim, Hemraj, sustained an eye injury during the attack and was admitted to Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH-16) for treatment. According to police sources, Hemraj had arrived in Chandigarh at around 12:30 am on Friday night to purchase a second-hand car.
Sequence of Events: From Boarding to Attack
While waiting near the transport area light point for a ride to his friend's house in Hallomajra, an auto-rickshaw carrying two passengers pulled up. Hemraj boarded the vehicle and sat alongside them. During the journey, the driver briefly stopped at a roadside stall so the occupants could have tea and smoke.
As they resumed the trip toward Hallomajra, the two passengers suddenly grabbed Hemraj. One of them wrapped a cloth around his neck in an attempt to strangulate him, while the driver pulled over and struck him in the eye with a bottle. The trio forcibly snatched ₹40,000 cash and documents from Hemraj's pockets before fleeing the scene in the auto-rickshaw.
Victim Alerts Police; Investigation Underway
Hemraj managed to alert the police by dialing 112, prompting a patrol team to reach the spot and rush him to the hospital. The Sector 26 police station has registered an FIR against the unidentified suspects. Investigators are currently scanning footage from CCTV cameras installed near the crime scene to trace the vehicle and identify the culprits.
No arrests have been made so far, though Hemraj stated he can identify the attackers if they are caught. Police are also checking records of auto-rickshaws operating in the area to narrow down suspects. The incident has raised concerns about safety of late-night travelers in Chandigarh, especially those using public transport.
