PRAYAGRAJ, Sept. 18 -- : A group of thieves broke into a house in Mahkani Khuntaghat village, under Kotwali Dehat police station in Pratapgarh, on Tuesday night and stole jewellery and cash worth over Rs.10 lakh. The robbers also took a woman hostage, tied her hands and feet, and gagged her when she woke up and caught them in the act.

According to reports, the house belongs to Pramod Kumar Saroj, who works as a truck driver along with his brother. On the night of the incident, Pramod's wife Usha was sleeping inside the house with her daughter Ruby. Other family members, including two brothers-in-law, their mother, and two nephews, were sleeping outside in the veranda.

Around midnight, Usha stepped out briefly and returned to her room. A...