In a dramatic late-night incident in Ludhiana, a wheelchair-bound doctor and his family narrowly escaped an armed robbery attempt thanks to the quick thinking and bravery of his wife. The event unfolded at their home-based clinic in the Gopal Nagar area of Tibba Road, sending shockwaves through the local community.
The Midnight Deception
The terrifying ordeal began around 11 pm on Friday night when four masked individuals arrived at the residence of Dr. Pankaj Sharma, a registered medical practitioner (RMP). The group, consisting of three men and one woman, traveled via an e-rickshaw and presented themselves as patients seeking medical attention.
Pooja Sharma, the doctor's wife, recounted to police that the woman among the visitors complained of severe chest pain. "My husband came out of the room and examined the woman," she stated. "After his examination, he informed her that the chest pain was due to acidity and he would administer an injection for relief."
The Sudden Threat and Brave Response
The situation took a dangerous turn the moment Dr. Sharma prepared to treat his supposed patient. Without warning, all three men accompanying the woman brandished pistols, pointing two weapons at the wheelchair-bound doctor and one directly at Pooja Sharma.
As tension mounted, Pooja's scream alerted their daughter, who rushed out and joined the commotion by shouting. When one of the armed men demanded the family's valuables, Pooja made a split-second decision that would change the outcome of the entire situation.
"I ran outside the house and raised an alarm to call neighbors," Pooja explained. Her courageous dash and loud cries for help created enough disturbance to panic the assailants. "Thereafter, the accused got scared and rushed out of the house," she added.
The Escape and Investigation Concerns
As the four suspects fled toward their waiting e-rickshaw, Pooja attempted to apprehend the female member of the group but was threatened by the armed men. The entire group managed to escape in the vehicle, leaving the shaken but unharmed family behind.
The family immediately contacted Tibba police following the incident, but expressed significant frustration with the investigation's progress. They specifically criticized the police for being slow to collect crucial CCTV footage that could help identify the perpetrators.
"It is such a serious matter that four people came to our house to rob us, three of whom had pistols in hand," Pooja Sharma emphasized. "The police should act swiftly to nab them."
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP-IV) Vaibhav Sehgal confirmed that authorities are actively pursuing the case. "The police are registering a case against the unidentified accused on the basis of the complaint of the family," Sehgal stated. "The probe is on."
The incident has raised concerns about safety and security for medical practitioners operating home clinics, particularly those who may be more vulnerable due to physical challenges.
