New Delhi: In a case that initially appeared to be a straightforward robbery, Delhi Police have arrested six individuals and recovered Rs 50 lakh after uncovering that the crime was self-staged. The incident, involving a reported theft of Rs 54.5 lakh, was meticulously planned and executed across multiple states, including Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.
The Initial Complaint
The case came to light on May 26 when Vasudev, a 23-year-old employee of a money transfer agent in Old Delhi, filed a complaint with the police. Vasudev, a resident of Bikaner, Rajasthan, claimed that two men robbed him of a bag containing Rs 54.5 lakh near Fatehpuri in the Chandni Chowk area. Based on his statement, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and an investigation was launched.
Details of the Alleged Robbery
According to Vasudev, his employer had tasked him with delivering the cash to a money transfer office in Kucha Ghasiram. He stated that after alighting from a Rapido auto near SPM Road at around 11 am, two men assaulted him, snatched the bag containing the cash and his mobile phone, tore his shirt, and fled towards Pul Mithai.
Investigation Reveals Discrepancies
Police began a thorough investigation, scanning footage from over 500 CCTV cameras to trace the alleged route of the robbers. However, during the process, officers noticed multiple 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."
Confession and Conspiracy
Under interrogation, Vasudev allegedly confessed that he had conspired with his cousin Purushottam and four other associates from Rajasthan to misappropriate the money by staging a robbery. Police revealed that Vasudev had shared details of his job and the movement of large cash amounts with his cousin. The group then devised a plan to fake a robbery whenever he was tasked with delivering a substantial sum.
Execution of the Plan
Investigators said that four of the accused traveled to Delhi and checked into a hotel in Sarai Rohilla before executing the plan. Two of them enacted the staged robbery, while the remaining accused stayed nearby to assist. The accused have been identified as Vasudev, Purushottam, Ram Niwas, Kamal Bharti, Manful Mund, and Manoj Motasara, all residents of Rajasthan.
Arrests and Recovery
After the confession, police conducted raids in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Purushottam was arrested from Rajasthan's Jalore district on May 28. Kamal Bharti and Manful Mund were apprehended from Bikaner on May 29 and May 30, respectively. Another accused, Manoj Motasara, was arrested from Roorkee in Uttarakhand 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, resulting in the recovery of Rs 34 lakh. In total, police recovered Rs 50 lakh.
Multi-State Operation
Police said the six-day operation spanned nearly 3,500 kilometers and involved extensive technical surveillance, CCTV scrutiny, and interstate raids. Further investigation is underway, and efforts are being made to recover the remaining amount.
