A 20-year-old trader from Aligarh was assaulted and robbed of ₹2 lakh in cash shortly after arriving in Ludhiana’s wholesale woollen market on Saturday. The victim, Rajdeep Naik, had travelled to the city to purchase winter stock when he was targeted by motorcycle-borne assailants near Madhopuri Chowk.
Police said Naik reached Ludhiana by bus and hired an autorickshaw to Madhopuri, a major hosiery and textile trading hub. As he stepped out of the vehicle outside a local hotel, two unidentified men intercepted him, attacked him with sharp-edged weapons and snatched a bag containing ₹2 lakh meant for wholesale purchases. The assailants also took his mobile phone, two chargers and important travel documents before fleeing.
Following his complaint, Punjab Police’s Division No. 3 registered an FIR against unknown persons. Investigating officer Sulakhan Singh said the case has been booked under Sections 304 (snatching) and 3 (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police teams are scanning CCTV footage from Madhopuri Chowk and nearby commercial establishments to identify the suspects and their motorcycle.
Officials said the incident highlights a growing pattern of crimes targeting out-of-state traders in Ludhiana’s commercial corridors, including Madhopuri, Field Gunj and areas around the inter-state bus terminal, where visitors often carry large sums of cash. Police have also flagged a rise in “snatch-and-run” cases along Ferozepur Road and near bypass entries, which provide quick escape routes for motorcycle gangs.
Traders and visitors have been advised to remain vigilant, avoid carrying large amounts of cash, and exercise caution when getting down from public transport in crowded market areas.
