In the wake of an increase in robberies, the Jewellers' Association of Maharashtra has sought permission from the police to bar customers sporting veils from entering shops.

"There is a rise in the number of robberies where veiled customers were involved. In a year, eight to nine such incidents are reported. It looks like there are two or three such gangs in the city," Fatechand Ranka, president of the Jewellers' Association, said in Pune on Wednesday.

"Due to the veils, these customers cannot be identified by us or police. So we have taken a decision not to allow veiled customers in the shops. And for that, the association has sought permission in a letter to the state home ministry, state police chief and city police commissioner," he said.

But Pune Police Commissioner Dhananjay Jadhav said the police will be unable to give such permission to jewelers.

"If they are really concerned about security, they can appoint saleswomen and women security guards in their shops," Jadhav said.

Ranka told PTI: "If veiled customers reveal their face in front of the security camera, then there will be no problem for us to sell them jewellery, as we can catch them in case of a robbery.

"But if the government does not allow us to [bar burqa-clad customers], then the only option before us would be to move the high court," he said.