Bengaluru: Fed up with repeated break-ins at their shuttered stores, a group of determined shopowners in Bengaluru took matters into their own hands. After four months of watching their livelihoods crumble, merchants from Krupa Shree Palace Mall in Shivajinagar organized overnight vigilantes—and their efforts paid off.
On the morning of May 29, one thief, Imran Khan (30), was caught red-handed while trying to slip in through a broken window. Acting on his confession, the other two suspects, Yousuf Pasha (22) and Nabil Ahmed (25), were later apprehended—one from his home, the other near the complex. All three hail from Shivajinagar and are now in police custody, facing multiple charges under the BNS. Recovered items include clothing, a television, and various other stolen goods.
The shopping complex, housing 30 stores, was sealed by BBMP on January 29 due to unpaid property tax. Since then, shopkeepers were barred from entering, making them helpless spectators as unknown individuals were seen exiting the building at odd hours, carrying bags. It was a CCTV clip showing intruders using a rear entry point that finally triggered action.
According to Mohammed Mujahid, who owns multiple shops and a gym in the complex, the merchants, already suffering financial hardship, saw the thefts as a cruel blow. Their night patrols were born out of desperation.
Authorities recovered nearly ₹3 lakh worth of stolen women’s garments. The true extent of loss will only be clear once access is restored.
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