Youth caught robbing elderly woman in Nagpur posing as delivery boy dies in suspicious circumstances

Nagpur: A youth with a criminal background, who posed as a delivery boy to rob an elderly woman at her home in broad daylight, has died in suspicious circumstances. Those familiar with the matter say he died after being beaten, while the police deny this. The incident has caused a stir in the city police.

The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon at Prithviraj Society under the Belatarodi police station limits. The deceased is said to be Sumedh Rajendra Gajbhiye, 28, a resident of Narsala. His associate, Deepak Patil, was also injured.

According to police sources, Sumedh is involved in theft cases. On Tuesday at about 2.30 pm, he arrived at Prithviraj Society on a motorbike with Deepak Patil. They knocked on the door of Usha Devidas Dharmik, 61. Both wore T-shirts like those of food delivery workers. Claiming to have a parcel to deliver, they asked Usha to open the door. Taking them for delivery boys, she opened it.

As soon as the door opened, Sumedh Gajbhiye entered the house while Deepak Patil stayed outside. Sumedh threatened Usha Dharmik with a knife and tried to snatch her chain. Usha began to shout. Hearing her, her son, who was in the house, came to help and caught hold of Sumedh. He called out to neighbours for help, and they rushed over. Residents of the area also gathered on learning of the incident. They surrounded Sumedh and Deepak. Residents were angry on learning of the daylight robbery.

Belatarodi police reached the spot and brought Sumedh to the police station. Police say that during preliminary questioning Sumedh confessed to the crime and said he had handed the loot to his associate. He was then taken for a medical examination, where he lost consciousness. After examination, a doctor declared him dead.

Rashmita Rao, Deputy Commissioner of Police for Zone 4, said no injuries were visible on Sumedh's body when police took him into custody. She said no evidence has been found that he was beaten. A case of accidental death has been registered at Belatarodi police station and an investigation has begun. Further action will follow after the post-mortem report. She appealed to citizens not to heed rumours.