Hospital owner, associates robbed of ₹5L

Lucknow: Armed miscreants allegedly looted around Rs 5 lakh from a private hospital owner and his associates after intercepting their vehicle on the Sitapur highway in Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT) on Thursday, police said.

According to officials, the hospital owner and his associates were travelling from Daliganj towards BKT when three unidentified men overtook and blocked their vehicle near a temple. The assailants allegedly opened fire, punctured a tyre and forced the vehicle to halt.

The accused then snatched a bag containing cash from a woman occupant and fled, police said.

Police said there was a possibility of insider involvement, pointing to the apparent prior knowledge of the victims’ movement and the cash being carried. Police suspect that the assailants may have received a tip-off regarding the transaction.

CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined to identify the accused and track their route.