More than a dozen criminals, wielding iron rods and daggers, looted cash and jewellery worth Rs 8 lakh and even manhandled women of a family at Paharbad village in Dhanbad’s Madandih Panchayat, during the wee hours of Tuesday.

The incident took place in the house of Saifur Sheikh, a contractual employee of Maithon Power Limited, at a time when there were no male members in the house, where a wedding ceremony was to take place.

“I woke up after hearing some sound at around 1 am and went to the other room and switched on the light. Suddenly one of the criminals grabbed me and pressed my mouth with his palm. Another man with a dagger tied me up with a gamcha (towel),” narrated a woman from the family.

The criminals took away Rs 3 lakh in cash and jewellery worth Rs 5 lakh, the woman added.

Another family member mentioned that they were suspecting someone close to the family being involved in the case, as the burglars had information about where keys to the locker were hidden.

A team of MPL police led by OC Wasim Ahmad reached the site upon receiving information from Madandih Panchayat leader Sheikh Taimur. They took details regarding the incident and even collected forensic evidence. A probe has been initiated after lodging an FIR against unidentified people.

“We received information on the phone about the incident during the morning hours from the mukhiya. We immediately rushed to the spot and found that jewelleries and cash meant for an upcoming marriage ceremony had been looted. We have initiated an investigation into the incident. Criminals will soon be nabbed,” Ahmad said.