This is the eighth attack on jewellery shop owners in the last two months, police suspect business rivalry as possible motive
This is the eighth attack on jewellery shop owners in the last two months, police suspect business rivalry as possible motive
In yet another attack on jewellery shop owners in the city, a Ghatkopar-based jeweller was shot last night by two unidentified men. Yesterday's attack makes it the eighth on city jewellers in the last two months.
At 9.40 pm yesterday when Bharat Jain (37) shut his store located at Hanuman Tekdi in Ghatkopar (W) and was returning home on his bike with shop helper Vikram Kumar (18), two unidentified men fired bullets at him. One bullet hit Jain in the chest, after which the men fled.
On seeing his boss lying in a pool of blood, Vikram ranu00a0 towards the store and informed neighbouring shop owners about the incident. Jain was rushed to Rajawadi Hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.u00a0u00a0u00a0
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According to police sources, two desi pistols have been recovered from the spot. "Robbery does not seem to be the motive of the attack, as the bag Jain was carrying was untouched. We suspect business rivals could have plotted the murder, but, there is no confirmation as yet," informed a police official, requesting anonymity.
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However, Jain's relatives are miffed with police, as they feel not enough is done to protect jewellers in the city despite the recent spate of attacks on the community.u00a0
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Bhavin Shah, a relative of Jain, said, "There has been an increase in attack on jewellers in the recent months, but the police have not provided them with any protection."u00a0u00a0u00a0
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To protest against the incident and the rise in attack on their fraternity, jewellers in Ghatkopar will keep their shops shut today.
Recent attacks on jewellers |
March 2: Two unidentified men attacked owner of Rabale-based jewellery shop, who was carrying Rs 8,000 cash in his bag. March 16: Two unidentified robbers fled empty-handed, but killed a Wadala jewellery shop owner Mangilal Kumawat when he raised an alarm. March 19: A 35-year-old woman stole ornaments from a jewellery shop at S V Road Andheri.u00a0u00a0 April 3: Four robbers robbed gold valued at Rs 46 lakh from a Nagpada jeweller, at a revolver and choppers' point.u00a0 April 8: Eight unidentified robbers barged into a Mira Road shop and looted gold ornaments. April 9: Maternal cousin of a Charkop-based jeweller stole ornaments worth Rs 15 lakh. April 10: Four men wielding firearms barged into a Kamathipura jewellery shop and fled with gold worth Rs 60 lakh. |