Hyderabad auto driver rams bike to stop chain-snatcher, wins police honour
Synopsis
An autorickshaw driver in Hyderabad reversed 100 metres, rammed a fleeing chain-snatcher's motorbike, and stood firm even as the accused attacked him with a stick — then walked away without seeking a reward. The act, captured on CCTV, earned Mohammad Zaheer a formal commendation from Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar and has sparked a citywide conversation about civic courage.
Key Takeaways
Mohammad Zaheer , an autorickshaw driver, intercepted chain-snatcher Mohammad Sohail at Begum Bazaar Jinsi Chowrasta , Hyderabad, on 4 May .
Zaheer reversed his auto approximately 100 metres to ram Sohail's motorbike and physically confront him despite being attacked with a stick.
Sohail, a resident of Dabirpur , is a rowdy sheeter with 16 prior cases across various police stations and has been formally arrested.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.
Sajjanar presented Zaheer with a cash reward and commendation letter on 5 May .
Zaheer left the scene without seeking any reward; he was identified through CCTV footage of his autorickshaw's registration number.
An autorickshaw driver in Hyderabad, Mohammad Zaheer, risked his life on 4 May to intercept a fleeing chain-snatcher at the Begum Bazaar Jinsi Chowrasta area, ramming his vehicle into the accused's motorbike and physically confronting him despite being attacked with a stick. The act of bravery was captured on CCTV and has since drawn widespread praise, including a formal commendation from the city's top police officer.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar, victim Manju Omlata was on a morning walk with her daughter-in-law near Hindi Marwadi Vidyalaya School in Begum Bazaar when the accused, Mohammad Sohail, rode up on a motorbike and snatched the gold chain from around her neck. Sohail lost control of his bike during the act and fell, but quickly attempted to flee.
Zaheer, who was passing by in his autorickshaw, spotted the commotion through his side-view mirror. Although he had already driven approximately 100 metres past the scene, he immediately reversed his vehicle, rammed Sohail's two-wheeler, and knocked him down. When Sohail retaliated by attacking Zaheer with a stick, the auto driver stood his ground without flinching.
Arrest and Police Response
Patrolling police officers who were nearby took Mohammad Sohail into custody as he attempted to escape. Sohail, a resident of Dabirpur, is a self-described rowdy sheeter with 16 prior cases registered against him across various police stations. The Goshamahal Police Station has formally registered a case and confirmed his arrest.
Notably, Zaheer left the scene after the incident without seeking recognition or reward. It was the victim herself who informed the Goshamahal police about the auto driver's intervention. Officers then retrieved the autorickshaw's registration number from CCTV footage to identify and locate him.
Commissioner's Commendation
On Tuesday, 5 May, Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar personally honoured Zaheer with a cash reward and a commendation letter. Sajjanar also shared the CCTV footage of the incident on social media, calling Zaheer a role model for civic responsibility.
Point of View
Rammed a fleeing criminal, absorbed a stick attack, and then simply left. In a city where bystander inaction during street crime is a documented concern, this episode cuts the other way. Commissioner Sajjanar's decision to share the CCTV footage publicly is as much a public-safety communication strategy as it is a tribute — the implicit message being that civic courage is visible, recordable, and honourable. The real question is whether one-off commendations translate into a sustained culture of bystander intervention, or whether Zaheer remains an outlier celebrated and then forgotten.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mohammad Zaheer and what did he do in Hyderabad?
Mohammad Zaheer is an autorickshaw driver in Hyderabad who on 4 May intercepted a fleeing chain-snatcher by reversing his vehicle and ramming the accused's motorbike near Begum Bazaar Jinsi Chowrasta. He physically confronted the accused even after being attacked with a stick, helping police make an arrest.
Who was the chain-snatcher arrested in the Hyderabad Begum Bazaar incident?
The accused is Mohammad Sohail, a resident of Dabirpur in Hyderabad. He is a rowdy sheeter with 16 prior cases registered against him across various police stations and has been formally arrested by the Goshamahal Police Station.
How did Hyderabad Police identify Mohammad Zaheer?
Zaheer left the scene after the incident without seeking any recognition. The victim informed the Goshamahal police about his bravery, and officers retrieved his autorickshaw's registration number from CCTV footage to trace and identify him.
What reward did Hyderabad Police Commissioner Sajjanar give Mohammad Zaheer?
Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar honoured Zaheer on 5 May with a cash reward and a commendation letter. Sajjanar also shared CCTV footage of the incident on social media, calling Zaheer a true role model for society.
What has Hyderabad Police Commissioner Sajjanar urged citizens to do after this incident?
Commissioner Sajjanar appealed to Hyderabad residents to respond with courage when witnessing crimes, as Zaheer did, and to immediately dial 100 or contact the local police rather than remaining passive bystanders.
