Bengaluru: A shopping trip for a family wedding turned into a nightmare for a 40-year-old woman, who lost gold ornaments worth Rs 7.5 lakh and cash to a group of thieves in a crowded market area.Chandrika from Mantralaya came to Bengaluru with her younger brother for their cousin’s wedding. They visited Chickpet and surrounding shopping streets along with relatives on May 4 to buy clothes and wedding supplies. Aware of frequent thefts in the crowded market, her cousins suggested that she be careful with her ornaments. She removed the gold chains and earrings she was wearing and placed them, along with cash, inside a purse kept in her vanity bag.When they were walking near Avenue Road, a group of men allegedly merged into the crowd around them, creating confusion before quietly dispersing.Moments later, she checked her bag and was stunned to discover that her purse was missing. She later realised the bag was neatly cut open and the purse containing 55 grams of gold ornaments and Rs 20,000 in cash was stolen. City Market police registered a case of theft and are investigating.
