Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Banihal Police have earned praise for a swift and coordinated investigation that led to the recovery of a handbag containing ₹1.32 lakh in cash and important documents belonging to a group of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims, returning the lost property to its rightful owners within hours of tracing the vehicle involved. The recovery has been hailed as an example of prompt policing during the ongoing pilgrimage season, when thousands of yatris pass through the region daily.
The incident took place on July 8, when three pilgrims, Chabil Das, Sadanand Vispute, and Suhas Dattatreya Suryavanshi, all residents of Jalgaon in Maharashtra, accidentally left the handbag beneath the seat of a hired Honda Amaze taxi while travelling through Banihal en route to the shrine. The pilgrims were unable to identify the taxi driver at the time they lodged their complaint, complicating the initial stages of the search.
The recovery followed a focused investigation led by Station House Officer Banihal, Ashiq Hussain Lone, with support from the District Police Headquarters, Ramban. Acting on the limited information available, Banihal Police launched a methodical search that relied on technical analysis, toll plaza records, and vehicle ownership details, working in close coordination with Sopore Police to narrow down the identity of the vehicle and its driver.
These combined efforts culminated in the identification of the taxi and its driver, who was subsequently summoned to Police Station Banihal for questioning. Police confirmed that the handbag, along with the entire cash amount and all accompanying documents, was recovered intact and produced before the police station on July 9, just a day after the loss was reported. Following the completion of verification procedures and necessary legal formalities, the recovered property was formally handed over to its rightful owners.
The pilgrims expressed deep gratitude to Ramban Police, and particularly to the Banihal Police team, for their prompt and coordinated response, which spared them significant distress during what is already a physically and logistically demanding pilgrimage. The episode underscores the critical role local police play in safeguarding the interests of yatris travelling through the region, reinforcing public confidence in the security and support systems put in place for the annual Amarnath Yatra.
