A shocking case of violent robbery has come to light in Bengaluru, where two women were assaulted by armed criminals during a late-night ambush last month. One of the victims suffered the loss of two fingers after she resisted the attackers. Both suspects have now been arrested following an intense weeks-long investigation.

The brutal assault occurred on the night of September 13 in the Girinagar locality. The victims, Usha and Varalakshmi, were returning home from a Ganesh festival event when two men on a motorcycle intercepted them near Eashwari Nagar. The attackers later identified as Praveen and Yogananda attempted to forcibly take their gold jewellery.

Assailants Flew With Approximately 55 Grams of Gold

While Usha, out of fear, surrendered her chain, Varalakshmi resisted. In retaliation, one of the assailants, Yogananda, pulled out a machete and delivered a savage blow to her hand, slicing off two of her fingers before snatching her necklace. The assailants made off with approximately 55 grams of gold jewellery, valued at nearly Rs 7 lakh, and vanished into the darkness.

CCTV footage capturing the harrowing moment was crucial in helping authorities trace the suspects. A special police team was formed by the Girinagar police, who registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an extensive search operation.

After the crime, Yogananda went into hiding and travelled across Puducherry, Mumbai, and Goa, spending the stolen money while evading police. Eventually, he returned to his hometown in Marasinganahalli, Karnataka, where he was tracked down and arrested from Maddur.

Robbery Accused Had Murder History, Say Police

Police recovered 74 grams of gold jewellery, including the weapon used in the crime. Investigators also revealed that Yogananda had a prior criminal history and had previously been linked to a murder case.

Law enforcement officials described the nature of the attack as part of a concerning trend in India, with similar violent robberies reported earlier this year. In one such incident in Punjab, a victim’s fingers were also severed during a robbery attempt.

Authorities are urging residents to stay alert and promptly report any suspicious individuals or activities. “Strict action will be taken against those involved in such violent crimes,” police assured the public.

The investigation remains ongoing as further leads are pursued.