MISCREANTS SNATCHED GOLD JEWELRY WORTH Rs. 20 LAKH

MISCREANTS SNATCHED GOLD JEWELRY WORTH Rs. 20 LAKH

17-MAY-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA---------------------------A deeply shocking incident, posing a direct challenge to law and order, has emerged from the capital of Bihar. On Saturday—the auspicious occasion of Vat Savitri Puja—a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law, who had stepped out of their home with devotion and enthusiasm, fell victim to a brazen robbery in broad daylight. Fearless criminals executed this crime in the middle of the day, completely exposing the hollowness of police patrols and security assurances. Since the incident, an atmosphere of intense outrage and panic has prevailed among the women and local residents of the entire area.

According to reports, this sensational case occurred within the jurisdiction of the Buddha Colony Police Station—an area considered one of the busiest and most VIP localities in the capital city, Patna. On Saturday, much like the rest of the country, there was immense enthusiasm among women here regarding the observance of the Vat Savitri fast. A resident of the Buddha Colony police station area, along with her daughter-in-law, had dressed up elegantly and gone to offer prayers beneath a nearby *Vat Vriksha* (Banyan tree). Surprisingly, this particular Banyan tree is situated in very close proximity to the Buddha Colony Police Station itself. As the two women finished their prayers and began their return journey, cunning criminals lying in ambush targeted them. According to the victims, a female snatcher, in the blink of an eye, snatched the gold chain from the mother-in-law's neck and a heavy gold *Mangalsutra* from the daughter-in-law's neck. Before the two women could fully comprehend what had happened or raise an alarm, the accused—cunningly using the crowd to their advantage—vanished from the scene.

The victims stated that the estimated value of the stolen gold chain and *Mangalsutra* is approximately ₹20 lakh. Shaken by this major crime, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law immediately rushed to the nearby Buddha Colony Police Station to file a complaint. However, the victims allege that instead of demonstrating immediate alacrity, the police kept them waiting at the station for a considerable period of time. The women assert that had the police immediately set up roadblocks and mobilized upon receiving the information, their heirloom jewelry might have been recovered and the accused apprehended.

Spurred into action following this brazen public snatching incident, the police are now conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. According to police sources, footage from all CCTV cameras installed at the crime scene and along the surrounding routes is being meticulously scrutinized. The biggest puzzle currently facing the police is whether the snatcher was, in reality, a woman, or a male criminal disguised as a woman—a question that has arisen because the victim specifically described a female snatcher. Police officials maintain that a case has been registered, and the gang involved will soon be exposed, leading to the perpetrators being put behind bars.