Delhi: Man wanted in hotel robbery arrested after months on the run

Police have arrested a 26-year-old man who was wanted in connection with a dacoity and vandalism incident at a hotel in southwest Delhi’s Palam village area last year, an officer said on Sunday.

Accused Mahesh alias Ganja was arrested on March 13 in connection with a case registered at the Palam Village police station, he said.

According to police, the incident took place on September 28, 2025, when a group of five to six masked men, armed with iron rods, barged into a hotel in Palam village and created panic among the staff.

“The complainant, who runs the hotel, told police that the accused smashed glass panels, vandalised furniture and other property inside the premises and assaulted the employees present there,” the officer said.

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During the attack, the accused allegedly looted around Rs 2 lakh from the hotel counter and also took away the digital video recorder (DVR) of the CCTV cameras installed on the premises in an attempt to destroy evidence, the officer added.

One of the hotel employees, Priyanshu, sustained injuries in the assault and had to be admitted to a hospital. A case was subsequently registered and a probe launched.

“During the probe, police arrested five accused persons — Ritik, Mohammad Ladka, Prakash alias Chinu, Rakesh and Mohammad Ibrar. However, Mahesh alias Ganja managed to evade arrest and remained absconding since the incident,” the officer said.

A team from the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch was tasked with tracing and apprehending the wanted accused. Acting on information that the accused might visit the Sarojini Nagar area on March 13, a trap was laid.

“But the accused did not reach the location. Further intelligence suggested that he could visit his residence in Palam to meet his parents. Based on the fresh input, the team conducted surveillance in the area and eventually, apprehended Mahesh from Palam village,” the officer said.

During interrogation, the accused admitted to his involvement in the dacoity case. “Mahesh had studied up to Class 8 and later, worked at a private company at the Delhi airport before becoming a Rapido bike rider. He allegedly came in contact with local criminals during this period and got involved in criminal activities. Further investigation in the case is underway,” the officer said.

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