Patna: A sixth-semester undergraduate student of Magadh Mahila College escaped an alleged abduction attempt in central Patna on Tuesday afternoon after jumping from a moving auto-rickshaw near the city’s Double Decker Bridge.
The incident reportedly took place around 1:15 pm near Kargil Chowk, one of the city’s busiest intersections, shortly after the student completed her final examination.
Alleged Kidnapping Attempt After Examination
According to the complaint submitted to police, the student had appeared for her examination at BN College and was returning home to the New Azimabad area with a friend after the exam concluded around 1 pm.
The two students reached Kargil Chowk to board an auto-rickshaw. The complainant alleged that after one driver refused to take them, another auto driver signalled them to board his vehicle. An unidentified man was already seated inside the auto.
The student stated that shortly after she boarded, the passenger allegedly dropped a currency note and told her friend that the money had fallen from her possession. As the friend bent down to pick up the note, the auto driver allegedly grabbed the student’s hand, pulled her further into the vehicle, and sped away, leaving her friend behind.
Escape Near Double Decker Bridge
In her complaint, the student alleged that loud music was played inside the auto-rickshaw to prevent her cries for help from being heard.
Realising that she was allegedly being taken against her will, she waited for an opportunity to escape. When the vehicle reached the Double Decker Bridge near St. Joseph’s Convent School, she jumped from the moving auto-rickshaw.
Despite narrowly avoiding serious injuries, the student managed to get away from the scene and ran towards a safer location.
Allegation Against Patrolling Personnel
The student further alleged that while fleeing in a distressed condition, she approached patrolling police personnel on the road and sought assistance.
According to her written complaint, the personnel did not respond to her request for help and moved on. She subsequently reached Gandhi Maidan Police Station on her own and lodged a complaint.
Police Launch Investigation
Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident.
Akhilesh Kumar Mishra, Station House Officer of Gandhi Maidan police station, said a special team has been constituted to examine the case. Investigators are reviewing footage from government and private CCTV cameras installed around Kargil Chowk and the Double Decker Bridge.
Preliminary footage reportedly captured a red auto-rickshaw moving at speed from the area. However, investigators have faced difficulty identifying the vehicle registration number because of glare in the footage.
Police are also analysing CCTV recordings from locations around Gandhi Maidan and Patna Junction to reconstruct the route taken by the vehicle and identify those involved.
Concerns Over Student Safety
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of students and women commuters in central Patna, particularly in busy public areas where large numbers of examination candidates and daily commuters gather.
Police officials have said efforts are underway to identify the suspects and trace the vehicle involved in the alleged abduction attempt. Further investigation is in progress.
