Patna : Patna and its surrounding areas witness gold robberies worth around Rs 10 crore annually, while across Bihar, the figure reaches Rs 40 crore, according to estimates. Despite arrests made using CCTV footage and mobile call data records (CDR), police manage to recover only 20% of the stolen jewellery, with investigations often losing momentum after a few days.
One of the most high-profile cases occurred on March 7 last year near Dakbungla crossing, where armed robbers on a motorbike looted 5kg of gold worth Rs 3 crore from Delhi businessman Ansar Ali. His son, Ehtesham Ali, was shot and injured when he resisted. Over 11 months, police arrested three suspects but recovered only 780 grams of gold.
A pattern of low recovery rates
Binod Kumar, president of the Pataliputra Sarafa Sangh, highlighted the persistent threat faced by gold traders, urging authorities to provide better security. “Gold shops across Bihar, including Patna, remain vulnerable to frequent lootings,” he said.
In another major incident on June 21, 2019, at Panchvati Rajlay on Digha-Ashiyana Road, criminals looted 10kg of gold worth Rs 5 crore and Rs 13 lakh in cash. While police arrested three gang members, including the leader, only 1.25kg of gold and Rs 75,000 were recovered. Three additional arrests followed, but no further recoveries were made.
A similar trend was seen in three separate robberies between November 9 and November 28, 2022, at jewellery shops in Phulwari, Gardanibagh, and other areas, where robbers took jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh. The police managed to recover only Rs 3 lakh.
20% recovery in Patna’s biggest jewellery heist
One of Patna’s largest gold robberies took place on January 21, 2022, when criminals looted 35kg of gold worth Rs 17 crore and Rs 13 lakh in cash from SS Jewellers in Bakarganj. Despite police arresting five robbers, only 8kg of gold was recovered.
Similarly, on June 3, 2022, robbers stole 10kg of gold worth Rs 5.34 crore and Rs 9.84 lakh in cash from IIFL Gold Finance in Anishabad. Nearly three years later, two robbers have been arrested, while two others remain at large. Police have yet to recover any of the stolen gold.
