DelhiRobbery – Five Held in Majnu Ka Tila Cash and iPhone Heist
DelhiRobbery – Five residents of Jammu, including three women, have been arrested by Delhi Police in connection with an alleged robbery in north Delhi’s Majnu Ka Tila area, where a man was reportedly deprived of Rs 15 lakh in cash and 22 iPhones. Officers said the accused are believed to have targeted the victim shortly after he arrived in the national capital earlier this month for business purposes.
Complaint Filed by Visiting Trader
According to police officials, the case came to light after Ramesh Lal, 39, a Jammu-based employee of a mobile phone shop, lodged a complaint on February 17. Lal told investigators that he had travelled to Delhi by private bus carrying cash and electronic goods for trade. Soon after reaching Majnu Ka Tila, he was allegedly confronted by a group of six individuals, including three women.
Lal claimed the group surrounded him in a crowded area and accused him of inappropriate conduct. Amid the commotion, he was allegedly pushed and jostled, and two of the men accompanying the women snatched his bags before fleeing. The bags reportedly contained the cash and iPhones intended for business transactions.
Three Women Detained at the Spot
Police said bystanders intervened as the situation unfolded, leading to the detention of the three women at the scene. They were taken to Timarpur Police Station for questioning. The entire episode was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity, providing investigators with crucial visual evidence.
During initial interrogation, officers gathered details about the involvement of other suspects who had managed to escape. The footage is being examined to establish the sequence of events and identify the precise roles played by each accused individual.
Alleged Mastermind Identified
Investigators stated that questioning of the detained women led to the identification of additional suspects. The accused allegedly disclosed that six people were part of the plan and that a man named Parvez, also from Jammu, had orchestrated the operation. Police believe the men involved in the incident returned to Jammu shortly after the alleged crime, as per a pre-arranged strategy.
Based on this information, Delhi Police formed a joint team to trace those who had fled. Senior officers coordinated efforts across state lines, given the interstate dimension of the case.
Multi-State Search Operation
Three separate teams were dispatched to Jammu to locate and apprehend the remaining suspects. Police sources said the search involved extensive travel and coordination with local authorities. The operation spanned several districts as officers followed leads generated through technical surveillance and local intelligence.
On February 20, one of the suspects, identified as Mohammad Farooq, was tracked down in Chandigarh and taken into custody. Officials described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in the case.
Accused Arrested After Eight-Day Hunt
Another suspect, Tariq Hussain, also known as Fareedo, was arrested after what police described as an eight-day pursuit covering more than 1,500 kilometres across parts of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Officers said sustained efforts and continuous tracking enabled them to narrow down his location.
With these arrests, five individuals—Maneeva Akhtar, Juna Begum, Hashu Bibi, Tariq Hussain, and Mohammad Farooq—are now in custody. Police said further investigation is underway to recover the stolen property and determine whether similar incidents have occurred in other locations.
Investigation Continues
Authorities are examining financial records, travel details, and communication data to piece together the planning and execution of the alleged robbery. Efforts are also being made to locate the person identified as the mastermind.
Police officials have urged traders and travellers carrying large sums of money or high-value goods to remain cautious and consider secure transportation arrangements. They added that the case highlights the importance of vigilance in crowded commercial areas.