Robber pumps bullets into man who refused to hand over Rs 40

Trigger-happy robber accosts two men returning from work after midnight at Akurdi station

Arvind Kuman Singh (28), a supervisor with Finolex Plasma Industries Ltd at Urse, was returning home after a late night shift with colleague Shivaji Chauhan (31) when an unidentified robber shot at him. All because Singh refused to hand over the cash he had on him -- Rs 40.

The assailant fled the spot as Singh collapsed. Later, Singh was operated on in hospital and two bullets were removed from him.

The trigger-happy robber, who appeared to be between 25 and 30 years of age, had accosted Singh and Chauhan as they were walking out of Akurdi railway station after getting off a local train around 12.30 am. His face hidden under a scarf, the robber held the colleagues at gunpoint and told them, "Paisa, mobile, sab kuch nikalo."

Chavan gave him Rs 25 from his pocket, but Singh refused to part with anything.

The police said this agitated the robber, who fired from his country-made pistol at Singh, and the bullets hit his ribs, neck and ear.

A case was registered at Chinchwad police station on Saturday night.

Senior Police Inspector Mahesh Joshi said the victim was admitted to Aditya Birla Hospital soon after the incident. Two bullets were removed from Singh when he was operated on yesterday evening.

DCP Mahesh Patil, Zone 3, said, "When the incident happened, Singh was carrying just Rs 40 and wearing a gold ring. He refused to hand over his money and belongings, so the robber opened fire. We are investigating the case."

PI Joshi said, "We have so far checked the records of 12 criminals and the Nigdi police have also cross-checked the records of six criminals. Pimpri and Bhosari police stations also chipped in with their inputs."

The Crime branch is also investigating the case and has sent teams to nearby areas to look for people who fit the description of the assailant.

Patil said, "This is for the first time in a couple of years that a robbery at gunpoint has occurredin a PCMC (Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation) area."