A midnight robbery in Govandi took an unusual turn when two knife-wielding men robbed a food stall worker, and escaped with just gutka and Rs 200.

The incident occurred around 3.30 a.m. near Ambedkar Garden on October 30. Sarfaraz Shaikh, 21, who works at a Chinese food stall, was walking home when two men stopped him, demanded money, and asked for his phone. When he said he didn’t have one, they allegedly pushed him against a wall and threatened him at knifepoint.

According to the police, one of the accused, Sajid Qureshi, held a knife to Shaikh’s stomach while his accomplice frisked him. Finding only Rs 200 and two gutka packets, they snatched them and fled.

Shaikh didn’t approach the police immediately. “The next day, police called saying the incident had been caught on CCTV camera. They asked me to come to the station,” he said.

Shivaji Nagar police traced Shaikh using CCTV footage, recorded his statement, and registered an FIR. When shown photos of known offenders, Shaikh identified Qureshi, a history-sheeter and co-accused in a previous murder case.

“It was Sarfaraz’s luck that he had Rs 200 and two gutka packets. Otherwise, he could have been stabbed,” said a police officer. “Qureshi and his gang often target people walking alone at night. Some have been stabbed; others simply hand over their cash.”

After a four-day manhunt, police arrested Qureshi on November 4. He has been remanded to police custody.

Source