GPS tracking leads Delhi Police to arrest of habitual offender in cheating case
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a 40-year-old proclaimed offender for allegedly cheating a woman of her gold ornaments and cash in northwest Delhi, officials said on Monday.
The arrest was made after the police tracked the movement of the accused's vehicle using a GPS device, they said.
The accused, identified as Rahul, was arrested from the Model Town area on Sunday. Police also recovered the car which was used in the commission of the crime.
According to the police, Rahul is a habitual criminal involved in nine cases, including robbery, snatching, theft, culpable homicide. He is also a proclaimed offender in seven different cases.
"He committed such offences to earn easy money," Additional Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Bhisham Singh said in a statement.
The incident took place on January 18 when a 55-year-old woman was travelling from her residence to Uttam Nagar. While she was waiting at the Haiderpur bus stand, the occupants of a car offered her a lift, claiming to be bank officials.
Once she boarded the vehicle, the accused persuaded her to hand over her gold ornaments and cash for "verification", stating they were also depositing their own money.
The woman handed over two gold rings, two ear tops and Rs 5,000 in cash. Shortly after, the accused asked her to alight quickly and handed her an envelope, claiming that bank officials had arrived.
Upon checking, the woman found the only papers in the envelop, while the accused fled with her belongings. The woman later approached the police and lodged a complaint.
Following the complaint, police analysed technical inputs and traced the car used in the crime. A GPS tracking device was installed in the vehicle to monitor its movement discreetly.
"Based on real-time location data generated through the GPS device, the accused was tracked and apprehended," the officer said.
During interrogation, Rahul confessed to his involvement in the case along with two others, identified as Manoj and Amit. Efforts are on to arrest the remaining suspects and recover the stolen items, the officer added.
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Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
