Delhi Police arrests three in Rani Bagh theft; ₹2.10 lakh cash, laptop recovered
Synopsis
Two former shop employees and a friend used insider knowledge of their ex-employer's closing routine to steal ₹2.10 lakh in cash and a laptop in Saraswati Vihar. Delhi Police's Crime Branch traced, trapped, and arrested all three near a Delhi park within a week — recovering every stolen item in full.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested three accused — Amar, 24 , Akash, 24 , and Ashish Kumar, 23 — on 25 September 2026 in connection with the Rani Bagh theft case .
The theft occurred on 18 September 2026 at Saraswati Vihar , with ₹2,10,340 in cash, an Apple laptop, and other items stolen from complainant Mahender .
All stolen property, including the scooty bearing registration DL12SW** , was fully recovered.
Two of the three accused — Amar and Akash — were former employees of the complainant and had prior knowledge of the shop's sales proceeds and closing timings.
The case was registered under FIR No.
79240/2026 under Sections 303(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) .
Delhi Police's Crime Branch has cracked a theft case registered at Rani Bagh Police Station, arresting three accused — including two former employees of the complainant and a mini-truck driver — on 25 September 2026. The operation led to the complete recovery of stolen goods, including ₹2,10,340 in cash and an Apple laptop.
The Incident
The theft occurred on 18 September 2026 at approximately 8 pm, when complainant Mahender was closing his shop in Saraswati Vihar, Delhi. According to police, the accused arrived on a grey-coloured scooty, snatched a pitthu bag containing ₹2,10,340 in cash, an Apple laptop with charger, a bank passbook, a pen drive, and a copy of an Aadhaar Card, before fleeing the scene. A case was subsequently registered under FIR No. 79240/2026 invoking Sections 303(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Accused
The three men arrested are Amar, 24, a resident of Ekta Camp, Pitampura; Akash, 24, a resident of Kohat Enclave, Pitampura; and Ashish Kumar, 23, originally from Rohua West village in Samastipur district, Bihar. Amar and Akash were both former employees of Mahender's shop who had left in 2025, giving them prior knowledge of the shop's sales proceeds and closing timings. Ashish, a mini-truck driver who operated near the shop, was a close associate of the other two.
Police say Amar worked at the shop for approximately six to seven months, while Akash worked there for roughly two months, before both resigned in 2025. Investigators allege that Amar planned the theft to sustain what police described as a preference for a 'luxurious lifestyle.' All three accused are reportedly addicted to alcohol, according to police.
How the Investigation Unfolded
A dedicated team was constituted under the supervision of ACP Ashok Sharma, NR-1, headed by Inspector Pukhraj and comprising SI Rahul, SI Niranjan Singh, ASI Pawan, ASI Pardeep, Head Constable Sachin, and Head Constable Mukesh. Using field intelligence and technical analysis, the team tracked the movements of the accused.
In the early hours of 25 September 2026, the team received specific information about the trio's movements near DDA Park, Jeevan Jyoti Apartment, Saraswati Vihar. Acting swiftly, police laid a trap and arrested all three near the park. A scooty bearing registration number DL12SW**, allegedly used in the commission of the crime, was also seized from Amar.
Recovery and Outcome
According to the Crime Branch, the entire stolen amount of ₹2,10,340 was recovered along with the Apple laptop and charger, the pitthu bag, the bank passbook, the pen drive, and the copy of the Aadhaar Card. Police described the operation as resulting in the complete recovery of all stolen property within seven days of the incident.
Background of the Accused
Amar completed his education up to Class 11 at a government school in Pitampura and currently works as an AC repair technician. His father is a rickshaw puller and his mother works as a domestic helper. Akash studied up to Class 12 and is currently unemployed; his father works as a chowkidar. Ashish Kumar, originally from Samastipur, Bihar, also studied up to Class 12 and works as a mini-truck driver; his father is unemployed. All three are the youngest in their respective families, according to police records.
The case underscores how insider knowledge — gained through prior employment — can be exploited to execute targeted theft. With all three accused in custody and stolen property fully recovered, the Crime Branch is expected to file a chargesheet before the designated court.
Point of View
The case raises a structural question for small shopkeepers about the risks of employees gaining visibility into daily cash flows without basic security protocols. The accused' socioeconomic profiles also point to a familiar pattern: youth unemployment, alcohol dependency, and proximity to cash-heavy informal businesses form a recurring combination in Delhi petty crime. A chargesheet with strong forensics and technical evidence will be the real test of whether swift arrests translate into convictions.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Rani Bagh theft case in Delhi?
On 18 September 2026, three men stole a bag containing ₹2,10,340 in cash, an Apple laptop, a bank passbook, a pen drive, and a copy of an Aadhaar Card from complainant Mahender as he was closing his shop in Saraswati Vihar, Delhi. All three accused were arrested on 25 September 2026 and all stolen property was fully recovered.
Who are the three accused arrested in the Rani Bagh theft case?
The accused are Amar (24), a resident of Ekta Camp, Pitampura, who worked as an AC repair technician; Akash (24), a resident of Kohat Enclave, Pitampura, who was unemployed; and Ashish Kumar (23), originally from Samastipur, Bihar, who worked as a mini-truck driver near the complainant's shop. Amar and Akash were both former employees of the complainant.
How did Delhi Police solve the theft case so quickly?
The Crime Branch formed a dedicated team under ACP Ashok Sharma, led by Inspector Pukhraj, which used field intelligence sources and technical analysis to track the accused. Within seven days of the theft, the team identified the suspects' movements near DDA Park, Jeevan Jyoti Apartment in Saraswati Vihar, laid a trap, and arrested all three on 25 September 2026.
What was recovered from the accused in the Rani Bagh theft case?
Police recovered the entire stolen cash amount of ₹2,10,340, an Apple laptop with charger, a pitthu bag containing a bank passbook, a pen drive, and a copy of an Aadhaar Card. A scooty with registration number DL12SW**, allegedly used in the crime, was also seized from accused Amar.
Under what sections was the Rani Bagh theft case registered?
The case was registered as FIR No. 79240/2026 at Rani Bagh Police Station under Sections 303(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following the theft on 18 September 2026.
