MAPUSA
In a distressing tale of deceit and betrayal, a senior citizen's routine trip to buy vegetables in Moira turned into a harrowing ordeal, resulting in the loss of her cherished mangalsutra valued at Rs 1.5 lakh.
The victim, Vinanti Parab (63), fell prey to the cunning machinations of two individuals masquerading as police officers on a motorcycle.
Exploiting Parab's trust and vulnerability, they approached her with a fabricated story, claiming to be on special duty and warning her about purported chain-snatching incidents plaguing the area.
In a sinister twist of fate, the unsuspecting Parab complied with their directives, removing her mangalsutra as instructed and handing it over to the perpetrators.
Under the guise of safeguarding her valuables, the imposters purportedly wrapped the precious ornament in a piece of paper before returning it to her.
Tragically, upon reaching the safety of her home, Parab unwrapped the parcel to discover a heart-wrenching reality “ instead of her treasured mangalsutra, she found only worthless stones nestled within the folds of the paper.
The magnitude of the betrayal dawned upon her, leaving her shattered and distraught.
Despite the anguish and sense of violation, Parab and her family initially chose not to report the incident to the Mapusa police.
However, the gravity of the situation became apparent when a similar deception occurred within the jurisdiction of the Agassaim police station, prompting Parab's family to step forward and seek justice.
Consequently, on May 15, a formal complaint was lodged with the Mapusa police, detailing the duplicitous actions of the unidentified perpetrators.
This poignant incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of senior citizens to deceitful tactics and the pressing need for enhanced awareness and vigilance within communities.
A complaint has been registered against unidentified persons under Sections 170 and 379 of the IPC. Mapusa Police are investigating further.
