Delhi Police arrest 72-year-old woman for stealing foreign national's bag in Paharganj
Synopsis
A 72-year-old woman with 14 prior criminal cases — recently released from Tihar Jail — allegedly used her senior-citizen appearance to steal a foreign tourist's bag containing a passport, visa documents, $2,600 and ₹2.5 lakh in Paharganj. Delhi Police cracked the case by reviewing over 100 CCTV cameras before arresting her in Uttam Nagar.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police arrested Savita Gandhi (72) , also known as Saroj Gandhi , on 24 October 2026 for stealing a foreign national's bag in Paharganj .
The stolen bag contained a passport , visa documents , $2,600 , ₹2.5 lakh , three credit cards , and a Samsung mobile phone .
Police recovered ₹1,85,500 and $2,600 from the accused's possession at the time of arrest.
Investigators reviewed footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras to identify and trace the accused.
Gandhi is a habitual offender with 14 previous criminal involvements and had recently been released from Tihar Jail .
A case is registered under FIR No.
80090378/26 under Section 305 of the BNS at Paharganj Police Station.
Delhi Police have arrested a 72-year-old woman for allegedly stealing a foreign national's bag from a shop in Paharganj, recovering ₹1,85,500 in Indian currency and $2,600 in US dollars from her possession, officials said on Monday, 26 October 2026. The accused, identified as Savita Gandhi, also known as Saroj Gandhi, was apprehended on 24 October from Uttam Nagar in West Delhi.
How the Theft Unfolded
The incident came to light on 21 October, when the foreign national lodged an online complaint about the theft. According to police, the accused allegedly pilfered the bag while the victim was shopping at a store in Paharganj. The stolen bag contained a passport, visa documents, $2,600, ₹2.5 lakh in Indian currency, three credit cards, and a Samsung mobile phone — a significant haul that prompted investigators to fast-track the case.
The Investigation: 100+ CCTV Cameras Reviewed
Following the complaint, personnel from Police Post Sangatrashan under Paharganj Police Station launched a targeted investigation. A dedicated team comprising SI Sahil, W/SI Khaiko Asune, HC Bhageerath, HC Niranjan, W/Ct Mohini Bharti, and Ct Lalit was constituted under the leadership of SI S.N. Ojha, in-charge of Police Post Sangatrashan, and operated under the supervision of the SHO, Paharganj, and the ACP, Paharganj.
During the probe, investigators analysed footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras installed in and around the area. Human intelligence gathered through local sources and coordination with officers who had previously arrested the suspect helped establish her identity and locate her. A raid was subsequently conducted in Uttam Nagar, where Gandhi was apprehended on 24 October.
What Was Recovered
Upon arrest, police recovered the stolen Indian currency and US dollars from Gandhi's possession. The clothes she allegedly wore at the time of the offence were also seized, according to officials. During interrogation, she reportedly admitted to her involvement in the theft.
A Habitual Offender with 14 Prior Cases
Police described Gandhi as a habitual offender with 14 previous criminal involvements, including cases registered at multiple police stations across Delhi. She had reportedly been recently released from Tihar Jail prior to this incident. Investigators noted that she allegedly used her senior-citizen appearance to avoid suspicion while committing thefts — a calculated tactic that reportedly allowed her to operate undetected in busy commercial areas.
Notably, this is not an isolated instance of targeting foreign tourists in the Paharganj area, a well-known budget travel hub frequented by international visitors. Police said details regarding the opening of her history sheet and a proposal for her externment are currently being verified.
Legal Action
A case has been registered under FIR No. 80090378/26 under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Paharganj Police Station. Further legal proceedings are underway, and investigators continue to examine whether additional thefts can be linked to the accused.
Point of View
And that recidivism among habitual offenders is a structural problem that periodic arrests alone cannot fix. Gandhi's 14 prior cases and recent Tihar release underscore the limited deterrent effect of short incarcerations for property offenders. The 100-camera CCTV trawl that finally identified her also points to a policing model that is reactive and resource-heavy rather than preventive. For a neighbourhood that is the first image of Delhi for thousands of foreign visitors each year, that is a credibility cost the city can ill afford.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Paharganj bag theft case?
Delhi Police arrested Savita Gandhi , a 72-year-old woman also known as Saroj Gandhi, on 24 October 2026 from Uttam Nagar in West Delhi. She was allegedly identified as the person who stole a foreign national's bag from a shop in Paharganj.
What did the stolen bag contain?
The stolen bag contained a passport, visa documents, $2,600 in US currency, ₹2.5 lakh in Indian currency, three credit cards, and a Samsung mobile phone. Police subsequently recovered ₹1,85,500 and $2,600 from the accused.
How did Delhi Police identify and catch the accused?
Investigators reviewed footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras in and around Paharganj and used human intelligence from local sources. They also coordinated with officers who had previously arrested Gandhi in earlier cases, which helped establish her whereabouts before the raid in Uttam Nagar.
What is Savita Gandhi's criminal history?
According to police, Gandhi is a habitual offender with 14 previous criminal involvements, including cases registered at multiple police stations in Delhi. She had reportedly been recently released from Tihar Jail before allegedly committing this theft.
Under which law has the case been registered?
A case has been registered under FIR No. 80090378/26 under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Paharganj Police Station. Further legal proceedings are underway, and police are also exploring a proposal for the accused's externment.
