Vadodara: Throwing chilli powder into his eyes, a gang of robbers assaulted a 67-year-old businessman and snatched a bag containing Rs 10 lakh in cash outside his home in the Warasiya area of the city on Friday night.The victim, Lilaram Revani, who runs a gifts and toys shop in Karelibaug, was returning home to Chaturbhai Park society around 8.30pm after closing his shop. As per his daily routine, Revani arrived in his car and was getting down when four youths with black cloths tied over their faces suddenly approached him.According to the complaint registered at the Warasiya police station early Saturday morning, one of the assailants grabbed Revani by the collar and punched him in the chest, while another threw chilli powder into his eyes, leaving him temporarily blinded. Taking advantage of the situation, a third youth picked up a bag kept on the car seat containing Rs 10 lakh in cash along with packets of snacks, and fled.Revani was rushed to a hospital for immediate treatment to his eyes and later lodged a police complaint. He told police that he leaves home for work at around 10.30am every day and returns by 8.30pm, a routine the robbers may have been aware of.Residents of the locality said that while three of the accused managed to escape, one youth was caught by people in the neighbourhood after his scooter failed to start. However, the police complaint does not mention the suspect reportedly detained by residents, and repeated attempts to contact Warasiya police inspector S M Vasava were unsuccessful.
