Two held for drugging, robbing passengers in Delhi; linked to two similar cases

Two men have been arrested for allegedly drugging and robbing unsuspecting passengers after luring them into sharing an auto-rickshaw in central Delhi, an official said on Monday.

The arrests were made in connection with case reported on June 27, in which a man was allegedly robbed after being rendered unconscious by a sedative mixed in a cold drink.

According to the police, the victim had boarded a shared auto-rickshaw from Janki Dass Bus Stand on Naraina Road after being persuaded by an unknown man. During the journey, another accomplice joined them and allegedly offered him a cold drink laced with an intoxicating substance.

“After consuming the drink, the victim lost consciousness, following which the accused allegedly stole his mobile phone, around Rs 15,000 in cash, a backpack and other belongings before abandoning him at an isolated location,” the officer said.

Since neither the accused nor the vehicle was initially identified, the case was treated as a blind case. Investigators analysed CCTV footage from multiple locations, including Janki Dass Bus Stand, Shadipur Flyover, Patel Road, Moti Nagar and Kirti Nagar, besides carrying out technical surveillance and field enquiries.

The exercise led to the identification of the auto-rickshaw and its driver, Raj Kumar alias Raj. His questioning resulted in the arrest of his associate, Kasim alias Salman, he said.

During interrogation, Kasim allegedly disclosed that the duo targeted lone passengers, labourers and daily wage earners travelling with luggage. They would gain the victims confidence, mix Ativan tablets in cold drinks, rob them after they became unconscious and leave them in secluded places, police said.

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“The auto-rickshaw used in the crime, the victim’s mobile phone, another mobile handset, Rs 9,000 in cash, a backpack and other articles were recovered from their possession,” the officer added.

Verification of the recovered mobile phones through IMEI, CEIR and CCTNS linked them to two similar drugging and robbery cases registered at Paschim Vihar East and Naraina police stations. Police said Kasim is a habitual offender with multiple previous cases, including several involving allegations of drugging victims before committing theft.