Kolkata: Based on a complaint about a stolen gold chain worth Rs 8 lakh, police suspect a gang of female thieves, each carrying an infant in her arms, has started targeting women travelling in autos and buses in the Hatibagan-Ultadanga and Gariahat-Kasba belts.According to a complaint lodged by Hatiara Road resident Kavita Poddar (52), she had boarded an auto near Sovabazar Metro Station around 4.15 pm on Sunday. Near Hatibagan crossing, a woman carrying an infant got into the auto and sat next to her. The woman got off at Telengabagan and Poddar got off opposite Ultadanga station. On checking her purse, Poddar discovered the zipper was undone and a gold chain weighing 90 g was missing.Suspecting that her co-passenger had stolen the jewellery during the ride, Poddar lodged an official complaint.Officers said they are scanning CCTV footage along the Hatibagan-Ultadanga corridor to identify the woman and trace the stolen gold. Police suspect an organised gang of woman pickpockets, carrying babies to distract the victims, is actively operating across crowded auto routes connecting Hatibagan and Gariahat.
