Bhubaneswar, July 27: Two motorcycle-borne criminals allegedly robbed an employee of a private construction firm of Rs 4 lakh near Sriya Square at Kharavela Nagar police limits this afternoon.

Police have started an investigation after receiving a complaint from Ajay Kumar Swain, the employee of the construction company.

Swain alleged that the incident took place after he withdrew the money from a private bank near Sriya Square.

"I was carrying the cash in a bag on my motorcycle. All of a sudden, I felt someone trying to drag the cash bag from me. I tried to resist, but one of the goons kicked my motorcycle and I fell off. The other snatched the bag and fled the spot," alleged Swain.

Swain also said that although he had shouted for help, passers-by on the spot remained mute spectators.

"Several people were at the spot, but no one tried to stop the goons while they were fleeing. I later went to the police station and lodged a formal complaint," said Swain.

Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said the cops were checking CCTV footage of the nearby areas to identify the goons.

"We suspect the goons followed the complainant while he was going to the bank. We are also verifying the circumstances of the crime as described by the victim," said Bhoi.

The police said that although they had been advising people to ask for police assistance during transportation of large amounts of cash, most of them did not listen.

"We have been advising people to engage either private security guards or seek police help during transportation of large amounts of cash. If residents were more aware such incidents could be prevented," said a police official.

On November 16, armed goons robbed an employee of a microfinance firm of Rs 1.25 lakh near Kolathia in Khandagiri police limits.

The victim, Girija Panda, had alleged that the goons brandished a pistol at him. That case is yet to be cracked.