Headed for Azadpur market to buy material, the 36-year-old was robbed of Rs 30,000 in cash at knifepoint. Not at some unearthly hour, but 2.30 in the afternoon, and from inside a crowded bus (number 939, plying between Mangolpuri and Anand Vihar). The incident, he told the police, occurred when the bus had reached Filmistan Cinema on DBG Road, in central Delhi.

According to police officials, Maniwal got on the bus bus at Rampura in west Delhi.

According to Maniwal’s FIR just as the bus was near Filmistan, “three or four men surrounded me and asked me to hand over my bag. I refused, and was about to cry out for help, when one of them fished out a knife.” Scared for his life, Maniwal kept quiet, and “handed them my bag.”

The bag had Rs 30,000 cash, to buy raw material for his business, and some documents, the FIR states.

A police officer said they suspect a gang from outside the Capital had trailed Maniwal into the city and was awaiting the right opportunity to strike.