The Hindu : Architect robbed in Bangalore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 13, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Architect robbed in Bangalore

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE AUG. 12. In a daylight robbery that shocked the City, two gunmen robbed an architect of Rs. 9 lakhs after firing at him and his accountant this afternoon on Richmond Road in the heart of the City.

According to police, Rakesh Mohan, architect and proprietor of Mohan Associates, a firm of architects and interior decorators at Indiranagar, and his accountant, Verghese, came to the Bank of India branch at Richmond Complex on Richmond Road in a car to draw cash. Bhaskar was driving the car.

Around 1.15 p.m., Mr. Mohan, who was carrying the cash bag, came out of the bank along with Mr. Verghese. When the two were about to get into their car, which was parked on a small road near the building, two persons, who were riding a motorcycle, stopped them. One of them asked Mr. Mohan to hand over the cash bag. When Mr. Mohan refused, he fired on the ground with a country-made revolver. Even as Mr. Bhaskar ran to the bank, the assailants fired at Mr. Mohan and then at Mr. Verghese. They fled on the motorcycle with the cash.

While Mr. Mohan was injured on the knee and hand, Mr. Verghese was injured in the chest. Mr. Bhaskar took them to the Mallya Hospital. Their condition was said to be stable.

The police, who reached the spot, cordoned off the area. Barricades were put up on several roads in the City and motorcycles were checked. The fingerprint experts, ballistic experts and a dog squad were called in.

The Commissioner of Police, H.T. Sangliana, the Joint Commissioner, Jyoti Prakash Mirji, and the Deputy Commissioner, Gopal B. Hosur, rushed to the spot. A case has been registered at Ashok Nagar Police Station. Two police teams have been formed to investigate the robbery.

An eyewitness said that he saw the two assailants waiting near the car. He claimed that the youths pointed the pistol at him when he wanted to help Mr. Mohan and his accountant.

Mr. Bhaskar said the two Hindi-speaking youths sported beard. They were dressed well, and their demeanour did not cause suspicion.

The guard at the bank said that he was having lunch inside the bank and he did not hear anything. Several others in the bank and in the neighbouring establishments said they came to know about the robbery only after the shots were fired.

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