80-year-old woman robbed of ₹50,000 by bike-borne thieves outside bank after cash withdrawal

In a daylight robbery outside the Central Bank of India at Bagicha Chowk, 80-year-old Shrestha Devi was robbed of ₹50,000 by two bike-borne assailants. Devi, a resident of Sultan Pokhar Ward No. 2, visited the bank with her granddaughter, Juhi, to withdraw ₹1,00,000. After the withdrawal, Juhi kept half of the cash, ₹50,000, in her pocket, while Devi placed the remaining ₹50,000 in her handbag. As they waited on the roadside for an e-rickshaw, Juhi flagged one down. However, just as Devi began boarding, two men on a motorcycle swiftly approached, snatched her handbag, and escaped before they could react.

The incident took place in a high-traffic area and has prompted concerns over rising incidents of daylight robberies. Witnesses report that the entire robbery was executed in seconds, leaving Devi and Juhi unable to respond. Following the incident, the visibly shaken elderly woman and her granddaughter immediately contacted local authorities for assistance.

Farbisganj Police Station Chief Raghavendra Kumar Singh responded to the call with officers arriving at the scene to investigate. The police gathered details from Devi and Juhi and began reviewing CCTV footage from cameras installed inside and around the bank. In the footage, a man, who appears to have been observing the bank's activity and speaking on his mobile phone, was identified as a person of interest. The police are analyzing the footage to track the suspect’s movements before and after the incident.

Authorities have increased patrolling around Bagicha Chowk and other crowded bank areas in response. Police have advised the public, particularly those carrying large sums of money, to remain vigilant and to seek police assistance if they observe any suspicious individuals nearby.