Bengaluru, 03 Nov (H.S.): A 23-year-old woman employee of a shoe and bag repair shop in Bengaluru’s upscale Indiranagar locality was held at knifepoint by a helmet-wearing man who allegedly assaulted her and snatched her mangalsutra worth Rs 4.5 lakh in broad daylight.

The incident occurred between 11.45 a.m. and 12.15 p.m. on October 31 at a premium shoe and bag repair outlet on Indiranagar’s 100 Feet Road.

Police identified the accused as Prabhuraj (40), who was overpowered and assaulted by members of the public before being handed over to the police.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused entered the shop wearing a helmet and gloves, jumped over the reception counter and approached the woman. He allegedly warned her against screaming, claiming that someone was coming to kill her.

He then forcibly covered her mouth, threatened her with a knife and attempted to glue her hands to a table. The accused also stuffed a piece of cloth into her mouth before forcibly removing her 35-gram mangalsutra, valued at approximately Rs 4.5 lakh.

The woman alleged that the attacker pulled her hair and held a knife against her neck. He also threatened bystanders and assaulted the shop owner who rushed to rescue her.

Hearing her screams, local residents gathered outside the shop and attempted to calm the attacker. However, when he allegedly tried to force the woman into an autorickshaw, the crowd overpowered him.

Police subsequently arrested Prabhuraj and produced him before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Vikram Amathe said investigators were examining the accused’s mental health history, including indications of possible depression.

The woman sustained minor injuries to her neck and hands but is safe, police said. Further investigation is underway.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman