According to Bhandup police, Anjana Sukumar Goldar was returning home from the market around 1.30 pm on August 27 when she was approached by a man wearing a white shirt near Sushma Beauty Parlour on Tembipada Road, Narayan Nagar. The man initially asked her about a doctor’s camp. When Goldar said she did not know about it, he stopped her again and told her that she was fortunate and had the blessings of goddess Mahalakshmi.
The man then told Goldar that something had gone wrong, God was unhappy with her and something was not right at her home. He offered to provide her with a “solution” that would make things better. While they were speaking, another man, described as having a darker complexion, joined them. He supported the first man’s claims and told Goldar that what his associate was saying was true.
The first man then allegedly told Goldar that he was like her son and asked her for a bottle of water. Goldar and the second man went to Welcome Sweet Shop nearby, bought a bottle of water and handed it to him.
The man then took out Rs 500 notes from the second man’s pocket, handed them to Goldar and asked the second man to walk 71 steps. The accused then told Goldar to walk 71 steps ahead and return, assuring her that she too would be able to see Mahalakshmi.
After walking the distance and returning, the second man allegedly claimed that he had seen Mahalakshmi. The first man then told Goldar that she could also see the goddess if she followed his instructions. He asked her to hand over her money. When she said she did not have any, he instructed her to remove her gold chain, bangles and ring and hand them over. She complied.
When Goldar completed the 71 steps and turned around, both men had disappeared. She returned home and told her son about the incident. The family searched the neighbourhood for the men before approaching the police.
The gold jewellery allegedly taken from Goldar included a 13-gram gold chain valued at Rs 26,000, 7-gram gold bangles valued at Rs 13,000 and a 3-gram gold ring valued at Rs 6,000.
A case has been registered under BNS.
Police have warned citizens to remain particularly cautious of strangers who approach them with claims of divine blessings, religious solutions or promises of changing their fortunes. Officials said the Bhandup incident is linked to a specific gang using such tricks to gain victims’ confidence before relieving them of their valuables. Similar cases have previously been reported in the Vikhroli and Parksite area.
The incident has prompted another warning from police about remaining alert when approached by strangers using religious claims or promises of supernatural solutions to gain access to valuables.
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