A Tuesday night theft in Kautilya Nagar locality - home to over 30 VIPs - has confounded police. The thieves tied the gates of three homes - one of an MLA and another an ex-MLA - with ropes before fleeing with a battery and stereo set from an SUV belonging to the ex-MLA's daughter.
"It is shocking," said Sarairanjan's former RJD MLA Ramashray Sahni (60), a resident of house number-154. "My daughter had come from Samastipur yesterday (Tuesday) to visit me after my surgery. Her SUV was parked outside. When they were preparing to leave around 6am today, we saw someone had tied up the front gate of the house. We opened that but found the battery of the SUV and stereo system stolen. Around the same time, some people from three other nearby homes started shouting. Their main gates, too, had been locked up with ropes. This incident exposes the hollow claims of patrolling by Patna police."
Faisal Rahman (34), RJD MLA from Dhaka in East Champaran, whose under-construction house is near Sahni's, was alerted that his men had been locked inside. "I reached the place in the morning to see the latch put on and tied up with rope," Rahman said.
"Maybe they wanted to ensure no one comes out when they are committing the crime. The police should probe this properly."
Even the gate of the house in front of Rahman's was locked. "This house belongs to senior BJP leader and former mines and geology minister S.N. Arya," said a resident.
Officials at the Airport police station area have never seen anything like this.
Earlier on September 2, plastic ropes were found tied to houses belonging to IG (Bhagalpur zone) Sushil Khopde and Sunita Singh, JDU MLA from Belsand, in Shastrinagar area. But nothing was stolen.
Patna police recently introduced special patrolling vehicles, called "Dolphin Mobiles". Two months back they had introduced a fleet of patrolling bicycles. Senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaaj said the police are investigating the matter and have some leads.
"Those involved in these incidents will be arrested very soon. Patrolling units have been asked to stay alert or be taken to task," the officer said.
