AIIMS Bhopal Lift Robbery: Chain stolen from a female employee in the lift in AIIMS Bhopal, big lapse in security. How did the accused abscond? Why were the security guards missing? Did the legal changes give criminals an advantage? CCTV footage revealed the entire mystery of the attack.
Bhopal. The incident of lift snatching with a female employee at AIIMS Bhopal on Sunday morning has raised a big question on the security of the hospital. This incident came to light when CCTV footage went viral on social media. The victim, Varsha Soni, who is an attendant in the gynecology department, was alone in the lift behind the blood bank while on duty.
Suddenly a young man wearing a mask entered the lift, who initially had a normal conversation and asked on which floor the ophthalmology department was. As soon as the lift reached the third floor, he attacked the woman and tried to snatch her gold pearl necklace and mangalsutra. Varsha protested, but the attacker pushed her away and ran away towards the stairs with the mangalsutra, while the pearl necklace broke and fell on the floor.
Why was the security so weak in AIIMS lift?
There was no security guard present in the lift area at the time of this incident. The woman remained crying, alone and frightened, near the elevator until a guard on a routine round spotted her and informed the authorities. Police registered a written complaint, but FIR has not been made yet.
Scroll to load tweet…
How did the accused abscond?
Investigation revealed that the accused fled from the IPD gate. The security agency said that he had hidden his face, so identification was difficult. This is the first case when an incident of chain snatching took place by targeting a woman inside the lift in AIIMS, which was earlier considered a safe and monitored place.
How did legal changes benefit criminals?
Crimes like snatching chains, purses and mobiles have now been classified under “snatching” under the Indian Civil Code (BNS) in Bhopal. Earlier such crimes used to carry a jail term of 10–14 years, now the maximum punishment is three years. Arrest is not necessary and bail is easily obtained.
Is snatching increasing in Bhopal?
According to police data, every second street crime in Bhopal is now snatching. 39 cases were recorded in 2024, while in 2025 the number increased to more than 165. Compared to robbery, snatching is now considered a “less serious” crime, resulting in less risk and more emboldening for criminals.
Are security improvements necessary in the hospital and the city?
This incident is not limited to AIIMS only. This indicates that Bhopal’s roads and hospitals may still prove vulnerable to criminals. This is a warning to the city and hospital administration that security arrangements, CCTV surveillance and guard routines should be further strengthened.