Mumbai: Chain snatcher uses chemical spray, makes off with Rs 64,000 mangalsutra

A woman and her two relatives were attacked with a chemical by a chain snatcher, who then fled with her mangalsutra on a busy street near Maxx Mall around 8.45 pm on Sunday in Bhayandar. The 35-year-old victim, a resident of Nehru Nagar in Bhayandar West, was out to eat panipuri with her sister-in-law and her sister-in-law’s daughter, both of whom had come from Nalasopara to visit her.

“When we were walking near Shri Balaji Mandap Decorators, next to Perfect Pitch Turf on the road from Secondary School to 16 Mala Tower in Bhayandar (West), an unknown man suddenly came from behind,” said the woman in her statement. “He was about six feet tall, slim, and wore a black hoodie. He sprayed a chemical into our eyes, causing severe irritation. Before we could react, he snatched the gold mangalsutra from my neck,” read the statement.

“A short distance away, another man wearing a white floral shirt was waiting on a motorcycle. The attacker ran to him, jumped on the bike, and both fled in the direction of Maxx Mall,” read the statement. “Due to the chemical spray, both Pinky and I felt a burning sensation in our eyes. I also sustained injuries to my neck and face during the struggle. When he tried to snatch the mangalsutra, I resisted, but he pushed me back. In the scuffle, he pulled it away and escaped,” she said.

The stolen mangalsutra, made by the victim 14 years ago, was reportedly worth around Rs 64,000. “A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) based on the woman`s complaint. Multiple teams have been formed to investigate. We are examining CCTV footage from the area and have gathered some leads. Both suspects will be in custody soon,” said Senior Inspector Jitendra Kamble of Bhayandar police station.

This article first appeared on Mid Day