Date:14/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/14/stories/2006091412560300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Robbers turn chivalrous

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Robbers in Bangalore have turned chivalrous. After relieving a woman of her gold ornaments at her house in Subramanyapura police station limits on Wednesday, the robber fell at her feet and apologised for the crime. Of course, he made away with the booty.

The police said that around noon, a man came to Bhagyalakshmi's house in AG's Layout in Ittamadu and asked for drinking water. After having some water, he left the place.

Medical expenses

But immediately he followed Bhagyalakshmi into the house and asked her to pay him Rs. 5,000 for meeting the medical expenses of his ailing mother.

When the lonely housewife told him that she had only Rs. 800 on her and gave the money to him, the intruder threatened her with a knife and robbed her of a gold chain and pair of earrings.

Before fleeing, he fell at her feet and requested her to pardon him, the police said.

On a complaint by Mr. Bhagyalakshmi, the Subramanyapura police have registered a case.

Another armed robber, who had struck at P.N. Venkatesh's house in Banaswadi police station limits on September 1, had shown similar chivalry.

After robbing Mr. Venkatesh's wife of her ornaments, the robber looted jewellery and cash from a safe.

When Mr. Venkatesh's wife removed her "mangalya" and gave it to him, the robber returned it to her saying: "I am not such a person who relieves a woman of her mangalya. I have just come out of the jail and I need money."