Four Jharkhand Workers Allegedly Robbed Of ₹38,270 After Auto Driver Takes Them To Isolated Stretch In Ahmedabad

Four workers who had arrived in Ahmedabad from Jharkhand were allegedly robbed of ₹38,270 by an autorickshaw driver and his accomplice after the driver took them to an isolated stretch in the Jamalpur area instead of their intended destination, police said.

The incident came to light after 27-year-old Vivek Kumar, a resident of Bokaro, Jharkhand, approached Gaekwad Haveli police and lodged a complaint on August 26.

According to the complaint, Kumar and his three friends had come to Ahmedabad after being hired as car painters by a contractor associated with a Bihar-based construction company. The group comprised Brajesh Kumar, Vicky Kumar and Shravan Kumar.

Workers Arrive At Kalupur, Hire Auto For Kalol

The four workers arrived at Kalupur railway station on the morning of August 24. They then hired an autorickshaw to travel to Vishwa Uma Dham Sargam near Jaspur Road in Kalol, Gandhinagar, where they were scheduled to report for work.

The passengers and the driver allegedly agreed on a fare of ₹300.

However, instead of taking them directly to their destination, the driver allegedly diverted towards Jamalpur Geeta Mandir Road and stopped near Safal Travels in the Arogya Bhavan compound.

The driver then allegedly asked which of the passengers would pay the fare. When Kumar told him that their contractor would pay, the driver allegedly became aggressive and threatened the workers.

Driver Allegedly Returns With Accomplice

According to the complaint, the driver got out of the autorickshaw and returned with another man. The two allegedly demanded that the workers hand over the money they were carrying.

When the passengers said they did not have money, the suspects allegedly grabbed them by their necks and threatened them with a knife.

Kumar alleged that the autorickshaw driver held a knife to his throat while his accomplice searched the passengers.

The two suspects allegedly took ₹28,270 in cash from the workers.

₹10,000 Allegedly Transferred Through PhonePe

The alleged robbery did not end with the cash being taken.

According to Kumar, the suspects forced him to transfer another ₹10,000 through PhonePe using his mobile-linked bank account.

The total amount allegedly taken from the four workers was therefore ₹38,270.

After allegedly taking the money, the suspects put the workers back into the autorickshaw and drove them towards Sabarmati railway station, the complaint states.

The driver allegedly handed them ₹400 to pay the fare before leaving the spot.

Police Probe Vehicle, Suspects

Following the incident, Kumar approached Gaekwad Haveli police and lodged a complaint against the unidentified autorickshaw driver and his accomplice.

Police are examining available information to identify the autorickshaw and trace the two suspects. Investigators are also expected to examine the digital transaction and other available evidence as part of the probe.

Further investigation is underway.