Ayodhya Jewellery Shop Robbery: Pregnant Woman in Burqa, Toy Gun Used in Heist
In a shocking daylight robbery in Ayodhya, a pregnant woman disguised in a burqa, along with her boyfriend, executed a meticulously planned heist at a jewellery shop, making off with a gold chain worth Rs 3.6 lakh. The incident, which unfolded on Thursday, saw the duo using a toy pistol to threaten the shopkeeper before fleeing on a motorcycle. Police have since arrested both accused, revealing details of their elaborate scheme.
Details of the Robbery and Arrest
The robbery occurred around 12:30 pm in the Kothi Bazar area under the Rudauli Kotwali limits of Ayodhya. According to officials, 21-year-old Payal Kori, wearing a burqa and carrying a backpack, entered the jewellery shop posing as a customer. She asked to see a gold necklace and chain, engaging the shopkeeper in conversation while requesting water and snacks to distract the staff.
At an opportune moment, Payal picked up a gold necklace and chain weighing approximately 26 grams, valued at Rs 3.6 lakh. When the shopkeeper attempted to intervene, she pulled out what appeared to be a pistol from her waist, threatening to shoot before running out of the shop. She escaped on a motorcycle driven by her 27-year-old boyfriend, Rahul Kumar, who was waiting nearby. The entire sequence was captured on multiple CCTV cameras installed at the shop and along their escape route.
Police Investigation and Confessions
Following the robbery, police formed multiple teams and scanned footage from nearly 60 CCTV cameras to trace the motorcycle's registration number. This led them to Rahul, and subsequently to Payal. Both were arrested near the Barabanki border while allegedly attempting to flee the district.
During interrogation, the duo confessed to planning the crime in advance. Rahul had purchased the burqa and a toy gun from the market, while Payal executed the robbery inside the shop. Additional Director General of Police (Lucknow Zone) Praveen Kumar likened their actions to the characters 'Bunty and Babli' from the Bollywood film, noting their use of disguise and a toy pistol to carry out the theft.
Background and Motives of the Accused
Police disclosed that Payal, who is pregnant, had recently returned to her parental home in Ayodhya to appear for her intermediate examinations. Her husband works in Punjab. The investigation revealed that the couple had planned the robbery with the intent to buy a house, having also considered similar heists in adjoining areas. Their careful planning included using the burqa as a disguise to avoid identification, highlighting a premeditated approach to the crime.
SSP Gaurav Grover of Ayodhya emphasized that the theft was well-planned, with the accused exploiting distractions to their advantage. SHO Sanjay Maurya of Rudauli, who conducted the probe, confirmed that the duo had meticulously organized every aspect of the robbery, from acquiring the disguise to selecting the escape route.
This incident underscores the lengths to which criminals will go to execute thefts, using innovative methods to evade detection. The swift police action, aided by extensive CCTV footage, led to the arrest of the accused, preventing further criminal activities. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of security measures in commercial establishments and the role of technology in modern law enforcement.
