Delhi Police bust interstate auto-lifter gang, recover 11 stolen vehicles
Synopsis
Delhi Police dismantled a cross-border vehicle theft ring on 24 July, arresting two accused and recovering 11 stolen motorcycles in a single operation. The gang targeted unattended two-wheelers at night, altered their identities, and sold them across state lines — a pattern that had gone undetected across multiple Delhi police stations until CCTV surveillance and a single theft complaint cracked it open.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police busted an interstate auto-lifter gang on 24 July , arresting two accused.
11 stolen motorcycles and the auto-rickshaw used in the crimes were recovered.
Accused identified as Sarfaraz (Mehrauli) and Rahul Kesharwani (Amethi, Uttar Pradesh).
The operation resolved 11 motor vehicle theft cases registered across different Delhi police stations.
Both accused booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) .
Gang's modus operandi: target unattended two-wheelers at night, alter vehicle identity, sell to buyers.
Delhi Police on Friday, 24 July dismantled an interstate vehicle theft gang operating across the capital, arresting two accused and recovering 11 stolen motorcycles. The breakthrough resolves theft cases registered across multiple police stations in Delhi and deals a significant blow to an organised network that had been preying on residential colonies and public spaces during late-night hours.
How the Gang Was Caught
The operation was triggered by a complaint from one Bobby Khan, who reported the theft of his Bajaj Discover motorcycle from Chhatarpur Pahari. A dedicated Mehrauli Police team undertook scientific analysis of CCTV footage, conducted technical surveillance, and gathered direct inputs from field staff. Acting on specific intelligence, officers laid a trap near CDR Chowk and apprehended two suspects.
Who Was Arrested
The arrested accused were identified as Sarfaraz, a resident of Mehrauli, and Rahul Kesharwani, a resident of Amethi, Uttar Pradesh — confirming the interstate dimension of the operation. Both have a prior history of similar offences. The auto-rickshaw they used as a getaway and logistics vehicle has also been impounded.
How the Theft Ring Operated
During sustained interrogation, both accused disclosed their modus operandi: they would identify unattended motorcycles and scooters parked in residential colonies and public places during late-night hours. After stealing the vehicles, they either concealed them at isolated locations or sold them to buyers after altering the vehicles' identity markings to earn quick cash. The cross-border nature of the gang — with one accused from Uttar Pradesh — suggests a supply chain that moved stolen vehicles out of Delhi.
What Was Recovered
Police recovered 11 stolen motorcycles along with the auto-rickshaw used in the commission of the crimes. The recoveries have helped close 11 motor vehicle theft cases registered across different police stations in Delhi. The accused have been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Significance of the Bust
Vehicle theft remains one of Delhi's most frequently reported property crimes. This is the latest in a series of crackdowns by Delhi Police on organised auto-lifting networks. The use of CCTV analysis and technical surveillance to crack an interstate gang underscores a shift toward data-driven policing in the capital. Investigations are ongoing to identify further links in the network and trace additional stolen vehicles.
Point of View
Allowing small organised gangs to rack up significant numbers before a cross-station pattern is spotted. The fact that it took a single complainant's CCTV tip — not inter-station data correlation — to crack this ring raises questions about whether Delhi Police's crime analytics are being used proactively. With one accused from Uttar Pradesh, the case also highlights the persistent challenge of interstate property crime, where stolen goods cross state lines faster than FIRs are shared.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Delhi auto-lifter gang bust on 24 July?
Delhi Police arrested two members of an interstate vehicle theft gang on 24 July and recovered 11 stolen motorcycles. The accused, identified as Sarfaraz of Mehrauli and Rahul Kesharwani of Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, were apprehended near CDR Chowk following CCTV analysis and technical surveillance.
How many vehicles were recovered and how many cases does this resolve?
Police recovered 11 stolen motorcycles along with the auto-rickshaw the gang used to commit the thefts. The recoveries have helped close 11 motor vehicle theft cases registered across different police stations in Delhi.
What was the gang's method of operation?
According to police, the accused targeted unattended motorcycles and scooters in residential colonies and public spaces during late-night hours. After stealing the vehicles, they either hid them at isolated spots or sold them to buyers after altering the vehicles' identity markings.
What charges have been filed against the arrested accused?
Both accused have been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The auto-rickshaw used in the commission of the crimes has also been impounded by police.
How did Delhi Police crack the case?
The investigation began after Bobby Khan filed a complaint about his stolen Bajaj Discover motorcycle from Chhatarpur Pahari. The Mehrauli Police team then analysed CCTV footage, conducted technical surveillance, and gathered field intelligence before laying a trap near CDR Chowk that led to the arrests.
