Patna: In a daring daylight robbery, unidentified armed assailants looted jewellery worth ₹1.25 crore and cash amounting to ₹1.25 lakh from the residence of a hardware businessman in Patna on Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 10:30 am at the house of Santosh Prakash, located in Nalanda Colony under the Agamkuan police station limits.
According to police officials, five armed robbers stormed the two-storeyed house while the family was present. They held the residents at gunpoint, locked them in a room, and looted valuables from a cupboard on the ground floor. When family members tried to resist, they were threatened with firearms.
“The miscreants entered the house saying ‘Pranam Uncle’ and enquired about my husband,” said family member Kumari Jyoti. “Soon, five more joined and they looted jewellery and cash within 20 minutes before locking us inside and fleeing.”
The robbers fled on a motorcycle parked at a distance from the house, escaping towards the bypass road.
Patna City Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Atulesh Jha said, “We received information at noon. Five assailants were involved, and they held the family hostage during the heist. Investigation is underway, and CCTV footage from the vicinity is being reviewed.”
The police suspect the involvement of someone familiar with the family, as the robbers appeared to know exactly where the valuables were kept. The fact that they spoke in the local language further indicates that they could be from Patna or nearby areas.
Businessman Santosh Prakash recounted the trauma: “Women and children were present. The criminals locked us in a room after showing weapons. When we delayed handing over the keys, they threatened to shoot us, even placing a gun in my mouth.”
Sniffer dogs brought in after the incident followed a scent trail but stopped a short distance away. Police have also begun tracking mobile phone locations, including one device reportedly taken by the assailants. Notably, within 10 minutes of the robbery, all family members’ mobile phones were found switched off—presumably taken by the robbers.
This incident marks the second major daylight robbery in Patna within the last 20 days, raising concerns about public safety and law enforcement in the city.
Police are yet to make any arrests in the case. Further updates are awaited.
