Hajipur, July 25: Hundreds of members of the transgender community staged a protest at the Vaishali district headquarters on Saturday, expressing anger over the lack of progress in the investigation into the theft of jewellery worth over ₹1.5 crore and cash amounting to ₹8.75 lakh from a transgender person nearly two months ago.
The protesters demanded the immediate arrest of the accused and recovery of the stolen valuables, alleging that despite repeated assurances from the authorities, no significant breakthrough has been made in the case.
The theft took place on May 12 under the Hajipur Sadar police station limits when victim Sapna Kumari was travelling from Patna to Mahua in an SUV. According to the FIR, the accused allegedly executed a diversion tactic by creating the impression that the vehicle had developed a mechanical problem.
As the driver stopped the vehicle and opened the bonnet after noticing what appeared to be smoke, the miscreants allegedly fled with a bag kept inside the SUV. Sapna Kumari stated that the bag contained jewellery worth more than ₹1.5 crore and ₹8.75 lakh in cash, which she said had been received as gifts from members of the transgender community.
Following the incident, police registered an FIR and launched an investigation using CCTV footage from the area. However, members of the transgender community claimed that even after nearly two months, neither have the accused been identified nor has the stolen property been recovered.
The community had earlier held a protest on June 18, following which the district administration had assured prompt action. With no visible progress, protesters returned to the streets on Saturday, intensifying their demand for justice.
During the demonstration, Superintendent of Police Shubhank Mishra met the protesters and held discussions with them. Initially insisting on meeting the District Magistrate, the protesters later deputed five representatives to hold talks with the district administration.
The protest concluded after the District Magistrate assured the delegation that the investigation would be expedited and all possible efforts would be made to recover the stolen jewellery and cash at the earliest.
“We want the immediate arrest of the accused and recovery of the stolen jewellery and cash,” the protesters said during the demonstration.
The district administration reiterated its commitment to ensuring a speedy investigation and assured the protesters that the case would be resolved as quickly as possible.
