A daylight robbery occurred on Sunday at a jewellery shop in Mohammadpur market under the Manjhi police station area of Saran district, Bihar.
Five masked criminals arrived on two motorcycles. Three entered the shop to loot jewellery while two stood guard outside. CCTV footage shows the assailants threatening people inside at gunpoint.
Shop owner Brij Bihari Gupta, his son and grandson, and four customers were present. The assailants held everyone hostage by pointing pistols at them.
Within three minutes, the criminals filled sacks with silver jewellery and fled. Five rounds were fired during the incident. Gold jewellery kept in the shop locker was not taken.
Brij Bihari Gupta said guns were pointed at his son and grandson, stating, “If I did not hand over the jewellery, everyone’s life could be in danger.” He said his son was struck on the head with a pistol butt and his grandson was pushed.
Customer Shakuntala Devi said she had come to view jewellery for her daughter’s wedding when the assailants shouted and forced everyone to sit on the floor, adding that she feared she would not return home alive.
Another customer, Arun Kumar Gupta, said he was struck on the head with a pistol butt when he raised an alarm.
Neighbouring shopkeeper Jagat Narayan said that due to a nearby programme, many people did not hear the gunshots, allowing the criminals to escape.
CCTV footage clearly shows two criminals rapidly filling sacks with jewellery. The gold jewellery kept inside the shop locker was not noticed, resulting in high-value jewellery being saved.
Local police are investigating the incident. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the criminals, and nearby CCTV footage has been collected.
Experts said that to prevent such daytime incidents during festivals and busy market hours, shopkeepers need to remain alert and arrange security cameras, alarm systems, and guards.
