Delhi Police arrest couple for e-rickshaw bag-slashing robbery in Moti Nagar
Synopsis
A Delhi couple posed as ordinary e-rickshaw commuters to slash and steal from elderly passengers' bags at the moment of deboarding — a low-tech, high-frequency crime pattern that police say may extend beyond the single FIR that cracked the case. ₹90,000 recovered; more victims likely.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police arrested Suresh (25) and his wife Rajni alias Anjali (22) from Moti Nagar on 17 May for e-rickshaw theft.
The accused targeted elderly passengers, slashing bags to steal cash and valuables at the point of deboarding.
A 60-year-old victim lost ₹1,00,000 on 13 May ; police recovered ₹90,000 from the accused.
The e-rickshaw used in the crime, registration DL 4ERA 0760 , was traced via CCTV footage analysis.
Investigation is ongoing to determine the couple's involvement in additional similar cases targeting senior citizens.
Delhi Police arrested a couple from the Moti Nagar area on 17 May for systematically robbing passengers travelling in e-rickshaws, targeting elderly commuters by slashing their bags to steal cash and valuables. The arrests followed a complaint filed by a 60-year-old victim who lost ₹1,00,000 in a similar incident on 13 May.
How the Crime Came to Light
The complainant lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at Moti Nagar Police Station on 14 May, stating that while travelling in an e-rickshaw the previous day, he discovered his small bag had been torn open and ₹1,00,000 in cash was missing upon reaching his destination. Police immediately initiated an investigation and launched a search for the suspects.
CCTV Evidence and Vehicle Identification
Investigators analysed multiple CCTV footage recordings from the surrounding area. The exercise proved decisive — the e-rickshaw used in the crime, bearing registration number DL 4ERA 0760, was identified through the footage. Sustained field efforts combined with technical surveillance eventually led police to the accused.
The Accused and Their Modus Operandi
The couple arrested were identified as Suresh, aged 25, and his 22-year-old wife Rajni alias Anjali. During interrogation, the two reportedly admitted to deliberately targeting elderly passengers in e-rickshaws, stealing cash and valuables from their bags at the moment of deboarding. Police recovered stolen cash worth ₹90,000 along with the e-rickshaw used in the offence from their possession.
Broader Pattern and Ongoing Investigation
Officials stated that further investigation is underway to determine whether the couple is linked to other similar thefts targeting passengers and senior citizens in the area. This comes amid a broader pattern of e-rickshaw-based theft in Delhi, where the brief distraction of deboarding is exploited by organised pairs. Separately, on Saturday, police in the Dwarka district arrested two active criminals and one receiver in a theft case, recovering a 2.433 kg melted silver brick, cash worth ₹5,58,054, gold ornaments, silver jewellery, and 198 old Indian and foreign coins from their possession.
The Moti Nagar arrests signal a focused push by Delhi Police against crimes targeting senior citizens in public transport — a segment that has drawn repeated concern from commuter safety advocates.
Point of View
Their passenger compartments are unmonitored, and elderly commuters are disproportionately targeted precisely because they are less likely to react swiftly. The recovery of only ₹90,000 against a reported ₹1,00,000 loss — and police acknowledgement that more cases may exist — suggests this was not a first offence. Delhi's push to expand CCTV coverage is what cracked this case, but reactive surveillance is not the same as a prevention strategy. Until e-rickshaw operators are brought into a formal safety accountability framework, this modus operandi will recur.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Delhi e-rickshaw robbery case?
Delhi Police arrested a couple identified as Suresh, 25, and his wife Rajni alias Anjali, 22, from the Moti Nagar area on 17 May. They are accused of systematically stealing cash and valuables from elderly passengers travelling in e-rickshaws.
How did the accused carry out the thefts?
According to police, the couple targeted elderly passengers in e-rickshaws and slashed or tore their bags to steal cash and valuables at the moment the passengers deboarded. The method was designed to exploit the brief distraction of getting off the vehicle.
What evidence led police to the accused?
Police analysed CCTV footage near the crime area and identified the e-rickshaw used in the offence by its registration number DL 4ERA 0760. Technical surveillance and field investigation then led to the arrest of the couple.
How much money was recovered from the accused?
Police recovered stolen cash amounting to ₹90,000, along with the e-rickshaw used in the crime, from the possession of the accused couple. The original complaint involved a loss of ₹1,00,000.
Are the accused linked to other theft cases?
Police have stated that further investigation is in progress to determine whether Suresh and Rajni alias Anjali are involved in other similar theft cases targeting passengers and senior citizens in the area.
