Prayagraj Jewellery Trader Attacked and Robbed on Highway; Traders Demand Swift Police Action
Fear and anger have gripped traders in parts of Prayagraj after armed robbers allegedly attacked a jewellery businessman on a highway late at night and fled with a bag containing gold and silver ornaments worth lakhs of rupees.
The incident took place late Saturday night near Malak Chaturi village on the Prayagraj-Pratapgarh highway under the Soraon police station area.
According to police and local traders, three motorcycle-borne assailants intercepted the businessman while he was returning home and assaulted him with a sharp-edged weapon before escaping with the jewellery-filled bag.
The victim, Sushil Jaiswal, is a resident of Hulasganj Hansrajpur village in the Holagarh area and runs a jewellery shop in Dahiyawan market.
According to family members and police officials, Sushil had travelled earlier in the day to the Prayagraj Chowk Mandi area to purchase and get jewellery items prepared for his business.
He was returning home on his motorcycle around midnight when the attack occurred.
As he reached near Malak Chaturi village, three men riding a motorcycle allegedly overtook and stopped him on the highway.
The attackers reportedly threatened him with a chopper-like weapon and tried to snatch the bag hanging from his motorcycle, which contained jewellery.
When Sushil resisted, the assailants allegedly attacked him with the sharp weapon. In an attempt to defend himself, he tried to grab the blade with his hand, suffering injuries to four fingers in the process.
The attackers then reportedly pushed him to the ground, threw away his mobile phone and escaped with the bag containing valuable ornaments.
According to the trader, the stolen bag contained gold and silver jewellery worth several lakhs of rupees.
The violent robbery left the businessman badly shaken. With the help of nearby residents, he later informed his family members about the incident.
Police said the trader approached the Soraon Police Station on Sunday and submitted a written complaint regarding the robbery.
Station House Officer Keshav Verma said police have begun an investigation and are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify the accused.
“We have received the complaint. Legal action will be taken after examining CCTV footage and other evidence,” the officer said.
Police officials added that the victim did not immediately inform authorities during the night after the incident, which may have delayed the initial response.
The robbery has triggered anger and anxiety among traders in Dahiyawan and nearby market areas. Business associations have demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and the recovery of the stolen jewellery.
Members of the local trade bodies remained active from the police station to the police lines after the incident, extending support to the victim and pressing authorities for swift action.
Suresh Chaurasia, district president of the Gangapar traders’ association, demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits involved in the robbery.
Meanwhile, district president Sushant Kesarwani warned that traders across the Gangapar region would launch protests and shut markets if the police failed to solve the case within 48 hours.
In a separate theft case reported from Mauaima, a cattle trader alleged that nearly ₹10 lakh in cash was stolen from his parked car at a local animal market.
According to police, Zaid Ahmad, a resident of Kajiyana Kalan locality, had gone to a local livestock market on April 22 for buffalo trading.
He claimed that after parking his car and entering the market, unidentified thieves broke the vehicle’s lock and stole a bag containing ₹9.96 lakh in cash.
When he returned, he found the money missing from the car. After searching unsuccessfully for the cash, Zaid Ahmad lodged a police complaint against unidentified persons on Sunday.
Police said investigations are underway in both cases.
