In a shocking incident highlighting risks to commuters, Delhi Police have arrested three individuals for allegedly tricking passengers onto a private bus with promises of low-cost travel, only to assault and rob them on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. The accused targeted unsuspecting travellers near major transit hubs like Anand Vihar Railway Station and the ISBT.
Modus Operandi of the Criminal Gang
The trio, posing as private bus operators, offered a flat fare of just Rs 30 to passengers, regardless of their destination distance. Once the bus was on the move, they would assault the travellers, rob them of their belongings, and then abandon them at isolated locations near Rajghat. The crime spree came to light after police received multiple tip-offs about the gang's activities over several days.
Police Interception and Arrests
Acting on the intelligence, authorities intensified patrolling in vulnerable areas under the IP Estate police station. On Monday, during an early morning patrol, a team spotted a suspicious private bus and alerted senior officers. A police team subsequently intercepted the bus near the Rajghat red light.
DCP (Central) Nidhin Valsan stated that the passengers on board expressed immense relief upon the police intervention. They informed the officers that they had been robbed inside the moving vehicle.
Identities and Past Records of the Accused
The three arrested men have been identified as Yogesh (41), the driver, and Arshad (46) and Premshankar alias Ajay (28), who acted as conductors and helpers. Police recovered Rs 1,850 of the stolen cash and seized the bus used in the crimes.
Investigations revealed that the driver, Yogesh, was already involved in three previous cases registered at the Patparganj Industrial Area, Budh Vihar, and New Usmanpur police stations. These cases included charges of robbery, attempt to commit robbery, voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint under the IPC, and violations of the Arms Act.
Legal Action and Charges Filed
An FIR has been registered against all three accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 309 (robbery), Section 351 (criminal intimidation), and Section 3(5) (common intention). The swift action by Delhi Police has exposed a dangerous racket preying on intercity travellers and underscores the need for commuter vigilance, especially when dealing with unauthorized transport operators.
