MOHALI, July 2 — Police have arrested three men for allegedly robbing a woman by throwing chilli powder into her niece’s eyes near the mechanic market in Phase 1, Mohali. The incident occurred on June 26, when the victims were returning home after closing their shop.
According to DSP Prithvi Singh Chahal, the complainant, Jamuna Devi, told police that she and her niece, Anjala Sharma, were walking back from their confectionery store when three unidentified men suddenly approached them. “They flung chilli powder into Anjala’s eyes and snatched her handbag before fleeing the spot,” said Chahal.
Investigations revealed that an auto-rickshaw driver, Purvinder Singh, was part of the plan. Police said he would scout for vulnerable targets and inform his accomplices, Sachin and Chandan, who would then carry out the robbery.
All three accused have been booked under Sections 309(4) (robbery) and 317(2) (dishonestly receiving stolen property) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police recovered ₹1.6 lakh in cash, an auto-rickshaw (PB 65 AX 7651) and a motorcycle (PB 65 T 1111) used in the crime. Officials said further investigations are underway to check for involvement in similar incidents.
