Patna: Fear spread across parts of Patna on Friday after two armed men on a motorcycle robbed the husband of a local ward councillor in broad daylight, exposing once again the growing concerns over public safety in the state capital. The robbery took place near the Didarganj Ganga Bridge at around 8.20am, a time when the road is usually crowded with office-goers, traders and school commuters. The incident has left residents questioning whether even the busiest public roads can still offer any sense of safety.
The victim, Anil Kumar, husband of Sunita Gupta, was travelling from his home in Govindpur towards Patna city when he was allegedly intercepted by two unidentified men riding a black KTM motorcycle. According to his statement to police, the men approached from behind and kicked his scooter, causing him to fall on the road. Before he could recover, one of the attackers pointed a pistol at his head while the other snatched his gold jewellery, including a chain weighing around 30 grams and a ring weighing nearly 20 grams. The entire robbery took place within minutes, and the attackers fled before anyone nearby could intervene.
Soon after the attack, Kumar went to Didarganj Police Station and lodged a formal complaint, asking police to trace the suspects quickly. CCTV footage from cameras installed near the bridge has reportedly captured the two accused, and investigators have begun examining the footage. Despite this, there had been no arrests by the end of the day, adding to frustration among local residents. People in the area said the robbery happened on one of the busiest connecting roads to the city and questioned how armed criminals managed to escape so easily without being stopped by police patrol units.
The incident has sparked anger not just because of the theft itself, but because it happened in full public view during a busy morning commute. Residents in Didarganj said there has been a noticeable rise in snatching, theft and armed robberies in recent months, while visible police presence has remained limited. Many said the robbery near such an important route shows serious gaps in policing and surveillance, especially when the victims include the family of an elected public representative. The attack has added to the growing sense of insecurity among residents who say routine travel through Patna’s roads increasingly comes with fear.
Local people also pointed to the wider issue of confidence in law enforcement, saying that CCTV alone cannot stop crime if response on the ground remains slow. The fact that the suspects allegedly used a firearm and carried out the attack without hesitation has deepened concern over how emboldened criminal groups have become in and around the city. Police said an investigation is under way and efforts are being made to identify and arrest the two men, but for many in the area, the robbery has already become another example of a city where daylight no longer guarantees safety.
