The brazen daylight robbery that shook Kalaburagi’s busy Saraf Bazaar has yet again exposed the Congress government’s failing grip on law and order. On Friday afternoon, a gang of four masked men stormed into Malik Gold and Silver Shop, threatened the owner at gunpoint, tied him up and looted 2-3 kg of gold jewellery worth several lakhs — all in broad daylight, in a bustling market area.
The robbery, carried out between 12:30 pm and 1 pm, has left the city’s trading community rattled and ordinary citizens anxious about their safety. CCTV footage shows how fearlessly the criminals executed the heist — wearing caps and masks, brandishing guns and knives, and escaping in minutes while the police were nowhere in sight.
An eyewitness, Rajashekar, who was nearby when the incident occurred, recounted how the shop owner’s screams alerted him. “I rushed in but by then the robbers had tied up his hands and feet and fled. We never imagined something like this could happen in broad daylight in the heart of Kalaburagi. Now we are living in fear,” he said.
Kalaburagi City Police Commissioner Dr. Sharanappa S.D. said five special teams have been formed to trace the robbers. Fingerprint experts and the dog squad have been pressed into service, but the fact remains — this daring crime happened just metres away from bustling shops and busy streets, exposing glaring gaps in patrolling and deterrence.
Traders losing faith
The incident has reignited anger among local traders, who argue that the police and administration under the Congress regime have failed to protect them despite repeated assurances. “If such a crime can happen in the middle of the day, who will feel safe to open their shops? We pay taxes and yet have to fear for our lives and livelihoods,” fumed a local jeweller who didn’t want to be named.
The victim’s brother, Martulla Malik, shared how the armed gang tied up his sibling and forced him to open the locker. “Two showed guns, one brandished a knife. They threatened him, tied his hands and legs with rope, opened the locker and fled with the gold. Only after seeing our books can we say how much exactly is gone, but it’s easily 2-3 kilos,” he said.
A pattern under Congress?
This is not an isolated incident. In recent months, Karnataka has seen a surge in daylight robberies, violent thefts and murders — all raising uncomfortable questions about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s repeated claims of a ‘safe Karnataka’. Opposition leaders have already accused the Congress government of weakening police morale with constant transfers and politically driven interference.
Residents point out that repeated incidents like the recent ATM loot in Bidar, armed highway hold-ups and now the Saraf Bazaar heist are clear signs that criminals have grown fearless under this government. “They know the police will come after the crime, pose for photos, set up teams, make statements — but what is the point? Why isn’t there enough patrolling to stop these crimes in the first place?” asked a local trader leader.
More talk, less policing?
While the ruling party remains busy firefighting internal power struggles and leadership squabbles, people on the ground are left to fend for themselves. Traders in Kalaburagi now say they will press for a dedicated gold market police outpost and night patrolling reinforcements.
“The Congress came to power promising people’s safety and good governance. What we see today is the opposite. Law and order is crumbling while the ministers are busy defending chairs and fighting each other. Who will protect us?” questioned an angry shop owner at Saraf Bazaar.
With robbers still at large and gold worth lakhs missing, the Congress government has once again been cornered on its law and order track record — an issue that may well haunt it as it prepares for upcoming civic elections.
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