Delhi Crime Branch busts car theft syndicate, 3 held; 5 vehicles and 104 forged plates seized
Synopsis
Five stolen cars — including a Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta found near the Myanmar border — and 104 forged number plates expose the scale of a multi-state vehicle theft ring busted by Delhi's Crime Branch. The gang's alleged leader faces MCOCA charges, and investigators say over 100 high-end cars may have been funnelled through the network.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested three men on charges of running an organised vehicle theft and disposal network.
Recovered: five stolen cars , 104 forged HSRPs , and 24 forged RCs .
Gang leader Amit Nagar alias Sonu , 35 , of Rohini was arrested on 28 July under MCOCA ; he allegedly supplied over 100 stolen high-end cars to buyers across India.
A Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta were recovered on 13 August from Ukhrul district, Manipur , near the Myanmar border .
The network allegedly operated across Manipur, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Punjab, Assam , and West Bengal .
Investigation is ongoing; further arrests and vehicle recoveries are expected.
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested three alleged members of an organised vehicle theft and disposal syndicate, recovering five stolen cars, 104 forged High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs), and 24 forged Registration Certificates (RCs), officials said on Monday, 17 August. The crackdown dismantled a multi-state network that allegedly targeted high-end cars and SUVs across New Delhi and channelled them to buyers in border regions.
The Accused
The three men in custody have been identified as Amit Nagar alias Sonu, 35, a resident of Rohini, Delhi; Atom Jagat Singh, 45, from Imphal East, Manipur; and Potsangbam Mukesh Singh, 28, also from Imphal East. Nagar is alleged to have led the gang, with the Crime Branch invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against him — a measure typically reserved for entrenched organised crime networks.
How the Investigation Unfolded
The probe was triggered by a review of vehicle theft cases, CCTV footage, and field intelligence. On 12 May, police apprehended Potsangbam Mukesh Singh from Chhatarpur Enclave Phase-II, recovering forged RCs from his possession. A subsequent search of his rented premises yielded a plate-fixing instrument, 104 forged HSRPs, and 22 forged RCs. At his instance, a stolen Maruti Baleno was recovered from Wazirabad.
On 14 May, Atom Jagat Singh was arrested and led police to a stolen Maruti Swift in Mukherjee Nagar. Amit Nagar was apprehended on 28 July, after which a stolen Maruti Swift Dzire was also seized. Most recently, on 13 August, two additional vehicles — a Kia Seltos and a Hyundai Creta, both stolen in Delhi — were recovered from Ukhrul district, Manipur, near the Myanmar border, at the instance of Jagat Singh.
Modus Operandi
According to the Crime Branch, the syndicate allegedly used duplicate keys, electronic equipment, and computer-based devices to bypass modern vehicle security systems. Stolen cars were then fitted with forged registration plates and documents to enable resale. Nagar reportedly disclosed during interrogation that he had supplied more than 100 stolen high-end cars to receivers across multiple states.
The network's reach allegedly extended to Manipur, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Punjab, Assam, and West Bengal. The recovery of vehicles near the Myanmar border suggests the syndicate may have been routing cars toward underground groups operating in the region — though police have not formally confirmed the end buyers.
What Investigators Are Pursuing
The Crime Branch said the investigation is continuing to identify additional alleged members, trace further stolen vehicles, and map the complete chain of theft, transportation, and disposal. The application of MCOCA against Nagar signals that authorities view this as a structured criminal enterprise rather than isolated vehicle theft. Further arrests are expected as the probe widens across state lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were arrested in the Delhi Crime Branch car theft bust?
Three men were arrested: Amit Nagar alias Sonu , 35, from Rohini, Delhi; Atom Jagat Singh , 45, from Imphal East, Manipur; and Potsangbam Mukesh Singh , 28, also from Imphal East. Nagar is alleged to be the gang's leader and faces charges under MCOCA.
What was recovered in the Delhi car theft syndicate crackdown?
Police recovered five stolen vehicles — including a Maruti Baleno, Maruti Swift, Maruti Swift Dzire, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Creta — along with 104 forged High Security Registration Plates (HSRPs) and 24 forged Registration Certificates (RCs).
How did the gang steal and dispose of vehicles?
The syndicate allegedly used duplicate keys, electronic equipment, and computer-based devices to bypass vehicle security systems. Stolen cars were fitted with forged number plates and registration documents and then transported to other states for resale.
Why were stolen Delhi cars found near the Myanmar border?
Two stolen vehicles — a Kia Seltos and a Hyundai Creta — were recovered from Ukhrul district in Manipur, near the Myanmar border, on 13 August. Police said the cars were allegedly intended to be sold to underground groups operating in the border region.
What is MCOCA and why was it invoked against the gang leader?
MCOCA, the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, is a stringent law applied to entrenched organised crime networks. It was invoked against Amit Nagar because investigators determined the vehicle theft operation was a structured criminal enterprise spanning multiple states, not isolated incidents.
