Unable to get a safe transportation due to the MSRTC strike, a 60-year-old woman eager to get to her hometown for Diwali hitched a ride from a private car and was robbed of her jewellery and cash. According to the FIR filed by Leelabai Bajirao More, she was robbed of eight tolas of gold and ₹51,000 in cash on Thursday. Nerul Police said Ms. More was accompanied by her 14-year-old grandson who were heading to Satara for Diwali, but couldn’t get a bus as the strike was on. She is a resident of Sector 18A, Nerul, and she waited at Nerul LP bus stop before deciding on traveling in a private vehicle. Mr. API Ganpat Parchake, Nerul police station, said, “According to the complainant, a vehicle’s driver said he would charge ₹200 per person to take them to Satara.She is not sure of the car model but told us it was an MUV” She was asked to store her luggage in the rear seat and sit in the middle ones. At Kharghar, the driver told Ms. More that he had been called back by his employer. “They alighted at Belpada bus stop in Kharghar with their luggage. When she checked her bag, she found her valuables and cash missing, and filed a complaint at Kharghar police station. The case has been transferred to the Detection Branch,” Mr. Parchake said. A Detection Branch officer said they have received a tip-off on the accused. “We are also checking CCTV cameras along the route,” he said.
