New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS) The Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of Delhi Police’s Central District has busted an inter-state car theft racket operating between Delhi-NCR and Punjab, arresting two alleged auto-lifters and recovering five stolen vehicles, including four SUVs, officials said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Shamsher, 33, and Rinku alias Rinky, 39, were arrested in Jandiala Guru in Amritsar, Punjab, on October 16. Police said the recovery has helped solve five motor vehicle theft cases registered at different police stations in Delhi.
The investigation began after a white Hyundai Creta was reported stolen from outside a house in Old Rajinder Nagar. e-FIR 025056/26 under Section 303(2) was registered at Rajinder Nagar police station on October 14, following which the AATS team was assigned to investigate the case and identify those involved.
During the investigation, police used manual intelligence and technical surveillance to uncover the alleged involvement of a Punjab-based inter-state racket. According to police, the accused targeted well-maintained vehicles in Delhi-NCR, stole them during night hours, affixed fake registration number plates, and transported them to Punjab for disposal.
Acting on specific information, the police team conducted a raid in Jandiala Guru on October 16 and arrested Shamsher. A stolen car linked to a theft case registered at Begampur police station in Rohini was recovered from his possession.
During interrogation, Shamsher allegedly disclosed the involvement of his associate, Rinku alias Rinky, who was subsequently arrested in Amritsar on the same day. Police then recovered the car in the Rajinder Nagar case.
The five recovered vehicles comprise four SUVs stolen from the jurisdictions of Rajinder Nagar, Begampur, Janakpuri and Netaji Subhash Place police stations, and one reported stolen in the Rajouri Garden area.
Police said the accused allegedly disposed of the stolen vehicles in Punjab through a local contact identified as Harpreet alias Honey, a resident of Amritsar. Efforts are underway to apprehend him and identify other members of the racket, officials said.
The operation was led by Inspector Sandeep Dabas, in-charge of AATS, Central District, under the supervision of ACP (Operations) Padam Singh Rana. Further investigations are underway, the officials said.
–IANS
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