A daylight robbery reported in Old Delhi, involving the theft of Rs 54.5 lakh, has been uncovered as a meticulously planned self-staged crime, according to Delhi police officials. Six individuals have been arrested, and authorities have recovered Rs 50 lakh following an extensive multi-state operation that covered approximately 3,500 kilometers across Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand over six days.
The Incident and Initial Investigation
The case came to light on May 26 when Vasudev (23), a resident of Rajasthan's Bikaner, employed as a cash handler for a money transfer agent in Delhi, approached the police. He claimed that two men robbed him of a bag containing Rs 54.5 lakh near Fatehpuri in the Chandni Chowk area. According to his statement, his employer had entrusted him with delivering the cash to a money transfer office in Kucha Ghasiram. Vasudev alleged that after alighting from a Rapido auto near SPM Road around 11 am, two men attacked him, snatched the cash bag and his mobile phone, tore his shirt, and fled toward Pul Mithai.
A case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and an investigation was promptly initiated.
Inconsistencies and Breakthrough
During the probe, police examined footage from more than 500 CCTV cameras and traced the route taken by the alleged robbers. However, scrutiny of the footage revealed several inconsistencies in Vasudev's account. A senior police officer noted, "The complainant neither resisted the robbers nor attempted to chase them. The suspects appeared to be waiting for a specific person and had information about cash movement. The complainant also changed his statements during questioning and even pretended to lose consciousness shortly after the incident."
Under sustained interrogation, Vasudev allegedly confessed that he had conspired with his cousin Purushottam and four others from Rajasthan to misappropriate the money by staging a robbery. Police revealed that Vasudev had informed his cousin about his job and the movement of large amounts of cash. The group then hatched a plan to fake a robbery whenever Vasudev was assigned to deliver a substantial sum.
Execution and Arrests
Investigators said four of the accused traveled to Delhi and stayed at a hotel in Sarai Rohilla before executing the plan. Two of them carried out the staged robbery, while the others remained nearby to provide support. Following the confession, police conducted raids in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Purushottam was apprehended from Rajasthan's Jalore district on May 28. Kamal Bharti and Manful Mund were arrested from Bikaner on May 29 and May 30, respectively. Another accused, Manoj Motasara, was arrested from Uttarakhand's Roorkee on May 31, leading to the recovery of Rs 16 lakh. The sixth accused, Ram Niwas, was arrested from a hotel in Nagaur, Rajasthan, on June 2, and Rs 34 lakh was recovered from him.
The six-day operation covered nearly 3,500 kilometers and involved extensive technical surveillance, CCTV analysis, and interstate raids. The accused have been identified as Vasudev, Purushottam, Ram Niwas, Kamal Bharti, Manful Mund, and Manoj Motasara, all residents of Rajasthan. Further investigation is underway to recover the remaining amount.
