Delhi: Two held for daylight robbery of Rs 3.35 lakh

Two men have been arrested in connection with a daylight robbery involving Rs 3.35 lakh from a collection agent near Lahori Gate, police said on Friday.

According to officials, the robbery was carried out on 2 April with the alleged motive of repaying personal debts. One of the accused is said to have given a portion of the stolen money to his mother.

The suspects, identified as Parshu Ram Nishad (28) and Sandeep (23), were apprehended on Thursday, with more than Rs 65,000 recovered from their possession.

Their arrest followed an extensive analysis of over 400 CCTV cameras across the city, a senior police officer confirmed.

The incident took place when 62-year-old Kamal Singh, a collection agent, was returning to his workplace after collecting payments from clients in Kucha Ghasi Ram. He was assaulted with a blunt object and his bag, containing Rs 3.35 lakh, was snatched by the attacker who fled the scene.

Singh, who also works at a toy shop, sustained injuries and promptly reported the incident to the police.

A First Information Report (FIR) was registered, and multiple police teams were deployed to examine CCTV footage from various locations including Khari Baoli, Pul Mithai, Subzi Mandi, Filmistan, Jhandewalan, Nabi Karim, and Sadar Bazar. Through this process, one of the suspects, Sandeep, was identified.

Sandeep, employed at an LPG stove shop in Sadar Bazar, had gone missing following the robbery. Investigators traced his mobile phone to his native village in Uttar Pradesh. A team was dispatched, and both Sandeep and his accomplice Nishad were taken into custody on Thursday.

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During interrogation, the accused admitted to planning and executing the robbery. Sandeep, who was familiar with the victim’s routine, is believed to have tipped off Nishad. The latter followed Singh and attacked him using a brick hidden in a bag before fleeing with the stolen cash.

Police said the duo returned to their village in Uttar Pradesh and divided the money. Further investigation revealed that Nishad distributed part of his share among relatives to settle debts, while Sandeep deposited Rs 45,000 into his mother’s bank account.

While Sandeep had been residing and working in Delhi, Nishad had travelled to the capital specifically to commit the robbery.

Efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining stolen amount. The investigation continues.

(With inputs from PTI)