Masked Scooter Gang Loots Rs 64 Lakh from Rajasthan Trader in Hapur Highway Heist
In a brazen daylight robbery that has raised serious security concerns, three masked criminals on a scooter looted a staggering Rs 64 lakh at gunpoint from a Rajasthan-based rice trader near GS Medical College on the busy National Highway-9. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Pilkhuwa Kotwali in Hapur district, sending shockwaves through the local business community and prompting urgent police action.
Details of the Terrifying Highway Robbery
The victim, identified as Rakesh Rajput, a resident of Sikar district in Rajasthan, had traveled to Hapur on Saturday to collect money from his business partner Vaibhav Shukla. After completing his transaction, Rajput was returning to Delhi with the substantial cash amount when, around 3:30 pm, his vehicle was intercepted by the armed assailants.
According to preliminary investigations, one of the robbers fired a shot in the air to intimidate the trader before forcibly snatching two bags containing the entire Rs 64 lakh. The criminals then swiftly escaped on their scooter, disappearing into the busy highway traffic before any immediate response could be mounted.
Police Response and Investigation Intensifies
Senior police officials rushed to the crime scene, with Additional Director General (ADG) Bhanu Bhaskar and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kalanidhi Naithani personally reviewing the situation. The officers have issued strict instructions for an expedited investigation into this high-value robbery.
"Footage from over 200 CCTV cameras installed on highways, toll plazas, and nearby areas have been scanned so far," revealed ADG Bhaskar on Sunday. "Eight dedicated police teams are working round-the-clock on this case to identify and apprehend the perpetrators."
In a significant disciplinary action, three police personnel, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Pilakhua police station, have been suspended for alleged dereliction of duty. This move underscores the administration's seriousness in addressing security lapses along this crucial transportation corridor.
Alarming Pattern: Second Major Highway Robbery in 45 Days
This incident marks the second major highway robbery in the same vicinity within a remarkably short span of just 45 days. On December 15, criminals operating from a car and a bike targeted an accountant of a sugar trader named Ajay Pal on the Saraswati Medical College flyover.
In that previous incident:
- The assailants knocked the accountant off his motorcycle
- They injured him with a knife before looting Rs 85 lakh
- Police later identified eight robbers through CCTV footage and arrested them
- Only Rs 68 lakh could be recovered from the arrested individuals
The recurrence of such high-value robberies on the same stretch of National Highway-9 has raised serious questions about the security measures in place along this important transportation route connecting major economic centers.
Broader Implications and Community Concerns
This latest robbery has particularly alarmed the business community, especially traders who frequently transport substantial cash amounts between Rajasthan, Hapur, and Delhi. The modus operandi—using a scooter for quick getaways, firing warning shots, and targeting specific individuals carrying large sums—suggests a degree of planning and intelligence gathering by criminal elements.
Local residents and business owners are now calling for enhanced security patrols, better surveillance infrastructure, and more coordinated efforts between different police jurisdictions along the highway. The suspension of police personnel indicates recognition at higher levels that systemic improvements are urgently needed to prevent such incidents from becoming a recurring pattern.
As investigations continue, authorities are examining possible connections between this robbery and the previous incident, while also exploring whether organized criminal networks are specifically targeting cash-carrying traders along this busy highway corridor.
