‘Businessmen’ escape with Rs 20L from shop

The suspects had diverted the attention of the trader during a conversation asking him for water and escaped with the cash, the police said. The victim was identified as Ishtaq Ahamed.

According to the police, two men had visited Ishtaq Ahamed’s shop seeking details regarding bulk purchase of laptop bags. The shop owner had taken them to the office room for negotiating the price. When they were discussing, one of the two men asked for drinking water. When Ishtaq had stepped out of the office room to fetch water for the customer, the duo allegedly stole Rs 20 lakh kept in the bureau and escaped from the spot. When Ishtaq returned, they found the cupboard door open and the men missing. Based on a complaint from the shopkeeper, the Periamet police registered a complaint and collected CCTV footage from the neighbourhood to identify the suspects. Further investigation is on.