The spent casing at the crime scene. Photo: Arrangement
Panic prevailed in Koti on Saturday (January 31, 2026) morning after unidentified assailants opened fire on a 26-year-old cloth merchant and fled with ₹6 lakh in cash near the State Bank of India’s main branch. The Sultan Bazar police have booked a case.
The incident was reported at around 7 a.m. when the victim, identified as Rinshad from Nampally, arrived at an ATM to deposit the money. According to the Sultan Bazar Inspector K. Narasimha, a group of men chased him as he approached the kiosk and fired at him before snatching the cash and escaping from the scene.
Rinshad sustained a bullet injury to his leg and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. His condition is said to be stable.
Upon receiving the information, police reached the spot soon and cordoned off the area. Officers have begun examining CCTV footage from the bank premises and surrounding establishments in an effort to identify and trace the suspects. Preliminary investigations suggest that the assailants might be known to the victim.
A case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
Published – January 31, 2026 10:21 am IST
