Bengaluru: The Bengaluru Police have arrested two men for a violent chain-snatching incident in which a woman was robbed and two of her fingers were severed with a machete. The chilling crime, which occurred in September, has resurfaced after CCTV footage of the attack went viral on social media, drawing widespread outrage.
Attack during Ganesh festival night
According to the police, the incident took place on September 13 when two women — Usha and Varalakshmi — were returning home after attending a Ganesh festival orchestra in the city. As the duo was walking home late at night, two men on a motorbike approached them from behind near a residential area.
The accused, identified as Praveen and Yogananda, attempted to snatch their gold chains. Fearing for their safety, Usha handed over her chain without resistance. However, when Varalakshmi tried to hold on to her jewellery, the attackers turned violent.
Woman injured, loses two fingers
In a brutal act, Yogananda attacked Varalakshmi with a machete, severing two of her fingers. The assailants then fled the scene with around 55 grams of gold jewellery, leaving the women in shock.
Passers-by soon gathered at the spot and rushed the injured woman to a nearby hospital, where she received emergency treatment. Her condition is now said to be stable, police confirmed.
A senior officer from Bengaluru City Police said that the investigation team reviewed footage from CCTV cameras installed near the area, which played a key role in tracing and identifying the accused.
Accused arrested after investigation
Both suspects, Praveen and Yogananda, were arrested from the city outskirts during a special police operation. Interrogation revealed that the duo had been involved in similar chain-snatching and robbery cases across different neighbourhoods in Bengaluru.
“The accused had a pattern of targeting women returning late at night from cultural or religious events. They would follow them on motorbikes and threaten them with weapons if they resisted,” said a police source.
Authorities have also seized the motorbike used in the crime, along with some of the stolen gold. Police added that further investigation is underway to determine if other accomplices were involved.
CCTV footage sparks outrage
The emergence of the CCTV footage showing the horrifying sequence of events has sparked anger and concern among residents. Many citizens took to social media to demand stricter security measures and better street lighting in vulnerable areas.
Women’s safety activists have also called for faster prosecution and awareness drives to prevent such violent robberies. “This is not just theft; it’s a brutal assault on a woman’s dignity and safety. The police must ensure the harshest punishment for the culprits,” said a Bengaluru-based women’s rights advocate.
Police response and safety measures
Following the incident, police have stepped up night patrolling and are reviewing security measures across the city, especially during festival seasons when public gatherings and late-night events are common.
Officials have urged residents to remain cautious, avoid secluded streets at night, and promptly report any suspicious activity. The case has been booked under sections related to robbery and grievous assault under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).