A 38-year-old woman was allegedly strangled to death by unidentified assailants during a robbery bid today at her house in east Delhi's Mayur Vihar Phase-III, police said.
The deceased, identified as Madhubala, was at home with her children, Himanshu (14) and Himanshi (9), when the robbers struck. Her husband Ajay Gupta, a jeweller, was away when the incident took place this afternoon, police said.
"There were five robbers, one of them, posing as a courier agent, gained entry into the house with his accomplices in tow. Once inside, they threatened Madhubala about harming her and the children and asked her to hand over money and other valuables.
"They locked the two children inside one of the rooms and searched the house. Meanwhile, sensing an opportunity, Madhubala tried to raise an alarm. But she was thwarted by the robbers who then strangled her and fled the spot with the booty," said a senior police official.
After the robbers' escape, the children somehow called for help following which neighbours informed police.
Madhubala was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead.
"The value of the articles looted is yet to be ascertained. A case has been registered at New Ashok Nagar police station under sections of murder, trespass and robbery. Several teams have been formed to crack the case and a probe is on," the official added.
