Sanjay Lake robbery: Delhi Police arrest 20-year-old, juvenile in Pandav Nagar case
Synopsis
Two days after laying a trap near the same lake where the crime occurred, Delhi Police's East District unit nabbed a 20-year-old school dropout with a prior criminal record and a 17-year-old juvenile for robbing a woman of her phone and ₹800 in cash — recovering both stolen items in the process.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police arrested Prem , 20, and a 17-year-old juvenile on 12 May 2025 for the Sanjay Lake robbery.
The robbery occurred on 10 May when the accused allegedly snatched a handbag containing an Oppo mobile phone and ₹800 cash from complainant Nikita .
An FIR was registered at Pandav Nagar Police Station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) ; robbery sections were added after the complainant described criminal force being used.
No direct CCTV footage was available; arrests were made using local intelligence, surveillance, and technical inputs.
Accused Prem is a school dropout, reportedly unemployed and a drug addict, with a prior case at the same police station.
Both the stolen phone and handbag were recovered; investigation is ongoing.
Delhi Police's East District unit arrested a 20-year-old man and a 17-year-old juvenile on 12 May 2025 in connection with a robbery near Sanjay Lake in the Pandav Nagar area, officials confirmed on Thursday, 14 May. The stolen Oppo mobile phone and handbag belonging to the complainant were recovered from the accused.
What Happened at Sanjay Lake
The incident took place on 10 May when complainant Nikita was sitting with a friend near Sanjay Lake. Two unidentified boys allegedly approached the duo, pushed Nikita, and forcibly snatched her handbag — containing an Oppo mobile phone and ₹800 in cash — before fleeing the scene.
An FIR was subsequently registered at Pandav Nagar Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Robbery sections were added after the complainant detailed the use of criminal force during the incident.
How the Accused Were Identified
A dedicated investigation team — comprising Assistant Sub-Inspector Rajender, Head Constable Prashant, Constable Tarachand, and Constable Ajay — was constituted under the supervision of Station House Officer Dara Singh of Pandav Nagar Police Station, and the guidance of Mayur Vihar Assistant Commissioner of Police Amandeep Kaur.
Investigators examined CCTV footage from nearby areas, though no direct footage from the exact spot was available. The team then relied on local intelligence, surveillance, and technical inputs to zero in on the suspects. Multiple raids were conducted at the hideouts of the primary accused, Prem, a resident of Jawahar Mohalla, Shashi Garden, but he had allegedly evaded the police each time.
Arrest and Recovery
Acting on specific intelligence received on 12 May, the police team laid a trap near Sanjay Lake and apprehended Prem and the juvenile — identified officially as a Child in Conflict with Law (CCL). During questioning, the accused initially attempted to mislead investigators but later disclosed their involvement, according to police.
Both the Oppo mobile phone and the handbag were subsequently recovered from their possession.
Background of the Accused
According to police, Prem is a school dropout and was unemployed at the time of the incident. He was reportedly a drug addict and had a prior case registered against him at Pandav Nagar Police Station. The juvenile co-accused, aged 17, was also found to be frequently in Prem's company in the days following the robbery.
Investigation Status
Further investigation in the matter is ongoing. The juvenile will be dealt with under applicable juvenile justice provisions, while Prem faces charges under the BNS. This case highlights the use of technical surveillance and local intelligence as critical tools when direct CCTV evidence is unavailable.
Point of View
Resource-intensive methods like local intelligence and surveillance. The accused's prior record at the same police station raises a pointed question about recidivism monitoring in the area. The involvement of a juvenile also signals that the problem is not merely one of law enforcement but of social infrastructure — school dropout rates, substance abuse, and the absence of economic alternatives for at-risk youth in East Delhi's dense residential pockets.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Sanjay Lake robbery case?
Delhi Police arrested Prem , a 20-year-old resident of Jawahar Mohalla in Shashi Garden, and a 17-year-old juvenile — officially classified as a Child in Conflict with Law (CCL) — in connection with the robbery near Sanjay Lake in Pandav Nagar.
What was stolen in the Sanjay Lake robbery?
The accused allegedly snatched a handbag belonging to complainant Nikita that contained an Oppo mobile phone and ₹800 in cash. Both items were subsequently recovered from the accused after their arrest.
When and where did the robbery take place?
The robbery occurred on 10 May 2025 near Sanjay Lake in the Pandav Nagar area of East Delhi. The complainant was sitting with a friend when two boys approached, pushed her, and fled with her bag.
How did Delhi Police track down the accused without CCTV footage?
No direct CCTV footage was available from the exact spot. Police relied on footage from nearby areas, local intelligence, technical inputs, and surveillance to identify Prem as a suspect. A trap was laid near Sanjay Lake on 12 May, leading to the arrests.
Does the accused have a prior criminal record?
Yes, according to police, Prem was previously involved in another case registered at Pandav Nagar Police Station. He is described as a school dropout, unemployed, and reportedly a drug addict at the time of the incident.
