JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN | Published on: February 5, 2026
BHILWARA — In a shocking escalation of rural crime, a 90-year-old woman in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district was abducted by thieves along with her cot on the night of Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The culprits reportedly targeted the elderly woman for her heavy silver jewelry, a trend investigators link to the recent sharp rise in silver prices across the country.
The Midnight Heist: Locked Doors and a Stolen Cot
The incident occurred in Kothia village, under the jurisdiction of the Arwad police area. According to local officials, a group of unidentified assailants broke into the residence of former sarpanch Nathi Devi Mali late Wednesday night.
To ensure a smooth execution of the robbery, the thieves first locked the other family members inside their bedrooms from the outside, effectively taking them hostage. They then turned their attention to the verandah, where the family’s matriarch, Chhoti Devi (90), was fast asleep.
Witnessing the elderly woman wearing traditional silver ornaments weighing approximately 1.5 kg, the thieves chose a bizarre method of abduction: they muffled her mouth and lifted her along with her cot, carrying her into a nearby agricultural field to strip her of the valuables.
Villagers Foil the Robbery Attempt
The plan was thwarted when family members woke up and realized they were locked in. Their frantic cries for help alerted neighbors, who rushed to the house and broke the external locks.
Upon discovering Chhoti Devi’s empty spot on the verandah, a massive search party was formed by the villagers. Fearing the growing crowd and the approaching flashlights, the thieves abandoned the elderly woman in the field—her hands and feet tied—and fled the scene before they could successfully remove the jewelry.
Escalating Attacks on Elderly Women
This harrowing event follows a more tragic incident on Tuesday, February 3, where a 60-year-old woman was brutally murdered in Sawai Madhopur. In that case, assailants severed the victim’s legs to steal her silver anklets.
Police experts suggest that the all-time high silver prices in 2026 have made traditional ornaments a prime target for organized gangs. Rural areas, where elderly women often wear several kilograms of silver as part of traditional attire, have become hotspots for such violent “ornament heists.”
Police Investigation Underway
The Bhilwara police arrived at the scene early Thursday morning. A case has been registered, and a special task force has been formed to identify the suspects based on local intelligence and footprints found in the field.
“We are investigating the link between these recent cases,” a senior police official stated. “Patrolling in rural clusters is being intensified to ensure the safety of our senior citizens.”
Other News
Pakistan Court Sentences Ex-PM Imran Khan and Wife Bushra Bibi to 17 Years in Prison
Bihar: Former Civil Surgeon and Family Drugged, Held Hostage in Daring Jamui Robbery
