An elderly woman was swindled out of gold jewellery valued at over Rs 9 lakh after four unidentified ruffians deceived her under the pretext of cleaning and polishing her jewelries in Supela, Bhilai. Upon receiving information, Supela police promptly set up barriers and launched an extensive search operation; however, there was no significant lead in the case till filing of this report. Police sources informed that the complaint was lodged by the victim’s son, Lalit Bang (61), a resident of Priyadarshani Parisar (East), Bhilai. He informed the police that around 12:30 pm on Friday, his mother, Meena Bang, was seated in the compound of their house when two unidentified men approached her, offering to clean and polish the jewelries she was wearing. After some persuasion, she handed over four gold bangles and a gold chain to them.

 

The culprits applied a paste to the jewelry and placed it in a plastic packet, instructing her to open it after a few minutes to get the shining jewelries. Lalit Lalit Bang also told the police that his mother grew suspicious as, unidentified ruffians started leaving hurriedly and she saw them fleeing with two others waiting for them on two separate motorbikes outside as she followed them. Acting on the complaint, the police have registered an offense against the unidentified individuals under Section 318(4) of the Indian Penal Code for the act of cheating. Manish Bajpayee, the officer in charge of Supela Police Station, stated that CCTV footages from various locations are being reviewed to apprehend the culprits. Police are also investigating the report of a similar crime with the same modus operandi that took place in Sanyasipara, Raipur, within the jurisdiction of Khamtari Police Station, and are coordinating efforts to track down the suspects in collaboration with Khamtarai police.