Patna was shaken on Sunday afternoon by a brazen daylight robbery at a prominent jewellery store. Five armed criminals stormed Shri Lakshmi Alankar Jewelers near Dhan Colony Chowk in the Ramkrishnanagar area, making off with gold and silver ornaments worth over ₹20 lakh. The audacious act, which occurred around 12:50 PM, left the shop owner injured and customers terrified, highlighting growing concerns about public safety in the capital city.

What Happened?

The incident unfolded rapidly when five masked individuals arrived on two motorcycles and entered the Shri Lakshmi Alankar Jewelers. Armed with pistols, two of the robbers immediately took control, with one standing guard at the main entrance while another confronted the shop owner, Dhananjay Kumar. The other three accomplices quickly began to loot the display cases.

When Mr. Kumar attempted to resist the armed robbers, he was brutally assaulted. One criminal pressed a pistol to his temple and then struck him on the head with the pistol butt, causing injury. Amidst the chaos, three customers who were present in the shop were also threatened at gunpoint and warned against making any noise. The criminals continued their rampage for approximately ten minutes, emptying display cases of valuable gold and silver items. In a moment of bravery, Mr. Kumar managed to push past the assailants and escape, causing a brief moment of panic among the robbers. Seizing the opportunity, the criminals grabbed a towel from a chair, loaded it with the stolen jewellery, and fled the scene on their bikes.

CCTV cameras installed in the shop captured the entire incident, showing the robbers wearing helmets to conceal their identities. According to Mr. Kumar, the thieves stole around 100 grams of gold jewellery and four kilograms of silver ornaments, with an estimated value exceeding ₹20 lakh. City SP East Parichay Kumar confirmed that police raids are underway to apprehend the culprits. He also stated that investigators are meticulously examining the CCTV footage from the shop and surrounding areas to identify the robbers, asserting that the criminals would be behind bars within 24 hours.

Key Highlights

A daylight robbery occurred at Shri Lakshmi Alankar Jewelers in Patna's Ramkrishnanagar area.
Five armed criminals, arriving on two bikes, executed the heist around 12:50 PM on Sunday.
The shop owner, Dhananjay Kumar, was assaulted and injured after resisting the robbers.
Robbers stole over ₹20 lakh worth of gold (100 grams) and silver (4 kg) jewellery.
Three customers present during the incident were held at gunpoint and threatened.
The entire robbery, which lasted about 10 minutes, was captured by the shop's CCTV cameras.
Police have launched a manhunt, promising quick arrests based on CCTV evidence.

Why Does This Matter?

This shocking daylight robbery in a bustling area of Patna sends a disturbing message about the state of law and order. Such incidents directly impact the sense of security among ordinary citizens and business owners. When criminals can operate with such impunity during the day, it creates an environment of fear, discouraging economic activity and making people hesitant to carry out their daily routines. For small and medium-sized businesses like jewellery shops, a loss of this magnitude can be devastating, potentially leading to financial ruin and job losses. It underscores the urgent need for enhanced police vigilance and proactive measures to prevent crime.

Moreover, the use of weapons and the assault on the shop owner highlight the increasing audacity and violence of criminal elements. The incident is a stark reminder to the public and authorities about the importance of swift action and strong deterrence. Effective policing, rapid investigation, and quick arrests are crucial not only to bring the perpetrators to justice but also to restore public confidence. If criminals are caught and prosecuted promptly, it will send a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated, thereby helping to maintain peace and order in society and protecting the livelihoods of hard-working citizens.