Expressway horror: 2 couples robbed at knifepoint, victims say safety first

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru / Mysuru: The 'dream expressway' between Bengaluru and Mysuru, which was opened by PM Modi a few days ago, is also proving to be a 'highway of horror' for some. Crimes on the stretch are steadily going up giving sleepless nights to the cops serving at stations located along the expressway.

Recently, two couples were robbed at knifepoint after their car broke down between Devarahosahalli and Thittamaranahalli on the newly inaugurated expressway. It was even more shocking for the couples when they found out that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) helpline was not functioning.

According to sources, the incident took place between Devarahosahalli and Thittamaranahalli on the expressway when a medical representative, Lohit Rao and his wife along with another couple were returning to Mysuru after dropping off a friend at Nayandahalli in Bengaluru.

On the way back, the car broke down due to some technical problem around 1:45 am in Channapatna police station limits. The men tried calling the NHAI helpline for aid to tow their car but found that the number was non-operational.

Meanwhile, two men on a bike approached their vehicle and tapped on the window glass signalling to them to open the door. The victim, Lohit Rao, later said that as one of the assailants was wearing khaki pants, the couple mistook them for the police and opened the door.

"As soon as the door was opened, one of the accused got inside and flashed a knife at the women demanding that we hand over our valuables to him," Rao said. Left with no choice, the couple handed over the valuables and cash worth Rs 2.5 lakh to the assailants after which they silently rode away into the service road.

Trying to recover from the shock, the two couples alerted the police control room and later approached Channapatna rural police station. Lohit Rao also said that there were no street lights on the road and the assailants looked like they were professionals.

"After the complaint was filed, the police produced three suspects before us but we could not identify them," he added. According to sources from police, a case of robbery under section 392 of the IPC has been registered and the cops are on the lookout for the robbers.

Second robbery in two months

A group of robbers armed with daggers threatened and took away jewellery and cash from a government school teacher and his wife while they were on their way back home to Mysuru in a car on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway near Mallaiahna Doddi, Mandya.

The incident had reportedly taken place on February 6 while preparations were underway for the inauguration of the Expressway. The victim, Nagaraju N, 58 and his wife are residents of South Mysuru and the incident took place around 1:10 am when they had halted for a break.

"I had stopped the car to attend to nature's call. Before I could wash my hands and face and get inside the car, the robbers took away valuables and cash from my wife," he said. The assailants jumped over the barricade and disappeared from the spot. He had filed a case at Mandya police station which is still under investigation.

Victims say Expressway lacks safety

The victims of robbery incidents expressed disappointment that the expressway which is so much in the news, lacks safety. While one of the victims pointed out that the NHAI helpline was not working, others said that there was no proper lighting on the roads. "When they have made such good infrastructure and are collecting toll tax, why don't they focus on commuters' safety?'