Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 26: A woman's presence of mind and courage helped foil a knife-point robbery attempt in Mumbai's Matunga area after she confronted an armed man who allegedly entered her car while her two children were seated inside.

The incident occurred around 7 pm on Thursday near the Khalsa Don Bosco area, where the woman had gone to pick up her children after their football class.

According to police, as the woman unlocked her car and took the driver's seat, the accused allegedly opened the rear door and entered the vehicle, where the children were seated.

The accused, identified as 40-year-old Ali Basharat Ali Sayyad, allegedly brandished a knife, threatened the children and demanded cash and gold jewellery from the woman. He also warned her not to raise an alarm.

Instead of complying with the demands, the woman began shouting for help while confronting the accused. Her swift reaction reportedly unnerved the man, who immediately got out of the car and attempted to flee.

Passers-by, alerted by her cries, chased the accused, overpowered him and handed him over to the police.

During the search, police recovered two knives from the accused's possession.

A case has been registered against Sayyad for attempted robbery and wrongful restraint. He has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 126(2) for wrongful restraint and Sections 309(2) and 309(5) relating to robbery and attempt to commit robbery.

Further investigation is underway.