A shocking incident of theft has been reported from Bengaluru, where miscreants allegedly stole gold ornaments valued at approximately Rs 15 lakh from a woman while she was travelling on public buses. The victim, a 49-year-old resident of Nagasandra, was on her way to attend a wedding when the theft occurred.
Sequence of Events on the Fateful Day
The complainant, identified as Meerabhai, stated that the incident took place on the evening of December 11. She began her journey by boarding a Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus at Bagalagunte. Her destination was Kanaka Bhavan, a wedding venue located in Chandra Layout. In her possession was a bag containing precious gold jewellery weighing a total of 125 grams, which included items like a necklace and a chain.
During her commute, Meerabhai had to change buses. When she alighted at the Goraguntepalya junction, she made a worrying discovery—the zip of her bag was open. Assuming she might have forgotten to close it, she secured the zip and proceeded to board another bus towards her destination.
The Realisation and Police Investigation
The situation took a more serious turn when she got down at the Nayandahalli junction around 5:30 PM. Once again, she found the zip of her bag unfastened. However, it was only upon finally reaching the wedding venue in Chandra Layout that she opened the bag fully and realised the devastating truth—the gold ornaments were missing.
Based on her complaint, the police have initiated an investigation. Preliminary suspicions strongly point towards the theft happening during her bus journey. The modus operandi suggests that skilled pickpockets or thieves operating on the crowded buses targeted her bag, possibly opening the zip discreetly on two separate occasions to extract the valuables without her immediate notice.
A Cautionary Tale for Commuters
This high-value theft has highlighted the risks associated with carrying expensive items on public transport, especially during peak hours or on busy routes. The Bengaluru police are likely examining CCTV footage from the bus stops and possibly the buses involved to identify the culprits. They have advised the public to remain vigilant with their belongings while travelling.
The incident serves as a stark reminder for citizens to exercise extreme caution with valuable possessions in crowded spaces. Authorities recommend avoiding carrying large amounts of jewellery or cash unnecessarily and to ensure bags and purses are always securely fastened and kept in front where they can be monitored.
