Patna: An elderly woman was robbed of Rs 50,000 after being sprayed with a suspected sedative outside a bank in Bihar’s Bihta area, police said, in an incident that has raised concerns about security around bank premises and busy marketplaces.
The victim, identified as Usha Devi, had just withdrawn cash from an Indian Bank branch in Shrirampur Bazaar when she was targeted. According to police and CCTV footage reviewed during the investigation, two unidentified young men followed her from inside the bank.
As Devi stepped down the bank stairs, one of the assailants allegedly sprayed a substance into her face. Moments later, a second spray left her disoriented and she collapsed a short distance away. The men then snatched her bag containing the cash and fled.
Speaking to police, Devi said she lost consciousness briefly and only realised she had been robbed after regaining her senses. She later informed her family, who alerted the authorities.
Police said CCTV footage from outside the bank had helped identify the suspects. Amit Kumar, the officer in charge of Bihta police station, confirmed that a written complaint had been filed and raids were under way to arrest those involved.
“Based on CCTV evidence, we have identified two suspects and efforts are being made to apprehend them at the earliest,” Kumar said.
