20 sovereigns of gold ornaments stolen from KSRTC bus at Pothencode amid Onam rush

Pothencode: A housewife lost 20 sovereigns of gold while travelling on a KSRTC bus from Thiruvananthapuram. The ornaments, kept in the bag of Shameena Beevi of Vavarambalam SS Manzil, were stolen. She was returning after visiting her daughter-in-law’s house at Panavoor, Nedumangad. The incident happened around 12 noon on Saturday.

After alighting at Pothencode bus terminal from a KSRTC bus from Vattapara, she went into a vegetable shop. When she opened her bag to buy items, she realised the gold was missing. According to the complaint, the stolen ornaments included six bangles, one necklace, two pairs of earrings, and five rings. The jewellery had been kept inside a small box, which was inside a small purse, kept within the handbag. The thief had opened the zip of both the bag and the purse to steal it.

It is still not clear where exactly the theft took place. Complaints were lodged at Nedumangad, Vattapara, and Pothencode police stations. Pothencode police visited Shameena Beevi’s house, collected details, and began investigation. With the Onam season rush, KSRTC buses are heavily crowded.

Due to festive rush, incidents of theft are also on the rise. On Friday, a passenger who reached Pothencode on a KSRTC bus lost ₹90,000 in cash. He filed a complaint with the Pothencode police. It is also reported that in several women have lost ₹2,000, ₹5,000 and ₹4,000 from their bags while travelling.

Pothencode police have advised passengers to remain vigilant while travelling in crowded buses and take care of jewellery and money kept in their bags.