Gwalior twin sisters catch mobile snatcher, honoured by police
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Two 24-year-old twin sisters, both law students, overpowered and detained a mobile phone snatcher in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday, 8 August, after a high-speed chase that ended in a collision near Phool Bagh Chowk. The Gwalior Police subsequently honoured the duo for their bravery, with Senior Superintendent of Police Dharmveer Singh Yadav personally commending them at his office.
How the Chase Unfolded
The incident began when the sisters were riding to college and crossed the new Parav Bridge, where a man on a motorcycle snatched the phone from one of them. The sister who was driving immediately gave chase. The twins appealed to bystanders for help, but received no assistance.
'We then followed him for some distance and also asked people nearby to help us and catch him, but no one responded. After that, we increased the vehicle's speed and continued following him towards Phool Bagh Chowk,' one of the sisters said.
Near Phool Bagh Chowk, an oncoming tempo forced both vehicles to slow down, resulting in a collision. 'The two vehicles collided, and both we and the motorcycle rider fell down. We sustained injuries in the accident. After that, the motorcycle rider tried to run away, but we managed to catch him,' she added. The sisters then called the Police Control Room, and officers arrived shortly to take the accused into custody.
Who Is the Accused
Police have identified the accused as Manpreet, a native of Punjab who had reportedly come to Gwalior for work. He is currently being interrogated at Padav Police Station. Investigators are also examining whether he is linked to other mobile snatching incidents or prior criminal activity in the city.
Police Recognition and Public Response
Gwalior SSP Dharmveer Singh Yadav invited the sisters to his office and formally honoured them. He remarked that vigilant and courageous citizens play a vital role in the safety of society and that such individuals deserve encouragement.
A video of the sisters apprehending the accused has since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread appreciation from the public across the country.
Wider Context
Mobile phone snatching remains a persistent urban crime challenge across Indian cities, including in Madhya Pradesh. This incident is notable not only for the sisters' courage but also for the fact that they sustained injuries yet did not abandon their pursuit — a rare instance of civilian intervention that resulted in a direct handover to police. It comes amid growing public debate over bystander inaction in street crimes.