Delhi: 2 auto drivers held for robbing IB official at knifepoint

Two auto-rickshaw drivers have been arrested for allegedly robbing an Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer at knifepoint near RK Ashram Marg in central Delhi, police said on Monday.

According to police, the incident took place in the early hours of April 12, shortly after the officer had visited a restaurant in Paharganj. It was there that the accused — Akhtar Raja (41) and Ghulam Raza (25) — reportedly began tailing him.

Around 1 AM as the officer waited for an auto-rickshaw at a traffic signal near RK Ashram Marg, the duo struck. One of them threatened the officer with a knife and snatched his wallet, which contained his debit and credit cards, Aadhaar card, voter ID, CGHS card, and Rs 1,500 in cash, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Mahla.

Following the officer’s complaint, a case was registered at Mandir Marg Police Station. Investigators scanned CCTV footage from the area and spotted a suspicious auto-rickshaw, later traced to Akhtar Raja.

Upon being detained, Akhtar reportedly confessed and revealed that he and his accomplice, Ghulam Raza, had planned the robbery after spotting the victim at the restaurant. Akhtar had dropped Raza near RK Ashram Marg, from where Raza approached the officer and carried out the robbery, police said.

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Raza was later arrested and also confessed to the crime, officials added.

During the investigation, the police recovered the victim’s Aadhaar and voter ID cards, Rs 725 in cash, the knife used in the robbery, and the auto-rickshaw used in the crime.

Both accused are auto-rickshaw drivers and natives of Kishanganj district in Bihar, DCP Mahla said.