Goraya, October 24: An elderly e-rickshaw driver in Goraya, Jalandhar district, has reportedly lost ₹6,000 after an unidentified young man allegedly stole cash from his vehicle during broad daylight. The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of people who depend on daily earnings to support their families.
The victim, identified as Ram Kumar, a resident of Goraya, earns his livelihood by operating an e-rickshaw in the town and surrounding villages. According to Kumar, the incident took place on Thursday when an unidentified young man approached him and asked him to transport passengers to Mauli village. Believing it to be a routine passenger trip, Kumar agreed and proceeded to make arrangements to pick up the passengers.
Kumar said that when he moved to the other side to collect the passengers, the young man allegedly took advantage of his absence and removed ₹6,000 in cash that had been kept inside the e-rickshaw. By the time Kumar returned, the suspect had reportedly disappeared with the money, leaving the elderly driver shocked by the unexpected loss.
The victim explained that driving an e-rickshaw is his primary source of income and that he relies on his earnings to meet his family's everyday expenses. The loss of ₹6,000 has created financial difficulties for him, particularly as the money represented a significant amount for someone dependent on daily passenger fares.
The circumstances described by Kumar suggest that the suspect may have used the offer of a passenger booking to distract him before allegedly taking the cash. However, the identity of the individual and whether the incident was planned remain unclear. No details regarding CCTV footage, a formal police complaint or the identification of the suspect were available in the information provided.
The incident highlights the importance of taking precautions when leaving cash or personal belongings unattended in commercial vehicles. Further developments are awaited regarding any complaint to the local police and possible efforts to identify the person involved.
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