National News 2025-07-26

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH BY EAST DISTRICT POLICE; INTER-STATE AUTO-LIFTER GANG BUSTED

Mahesh Chandra - Delhi

• In a significant breakthrough, a team of the Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS), East District, successfully busted an interstate gang of auto-lifters involved in stealing luxury vehicles from various parts of Delhi using master keys (duplicate keys).

• One receiver of stolen vehicles was also arrested from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, who was operating a garage named “Baba Garage” used for storing and dismantling stolen cars.

• Master keys/duplicate keys used to commit the thefts and fake number plates used to conceal the identity of stolen vehicles were also seized.

• Luxury vehicles worth over ?1 crore were recovered based on disclosures made by both the accused.

• A total of five motor vehicle theft cases have been solved, and one case under the Arms Act has been registered.

TEAM & OPERATION

In an effort to curb the rising menace of vehicle theft, the Operations Wing of East District (AATS/East), was specially directed to conduct intensified patrolling in plain clothes and take proactive measures against auto-lifters and vehicle theft syndicates. Accordingly, a dedicated team from AATS/East was constituted under my supervision. The team was led by ACP/Operations Sh. Pawan Kumar under the close supervision of Insp. Pawan Yadav, I/C AATS/East, comprising SI Rahul, ASI Ajay, ASI Arjun, ASI Rajeev Solanki, ASI Vinod, ASI Rakesh, HC Kaushender, HC Ashutosh, HC Amit, HC Ashwani, HC Pankaj, Ct. Manish and Ct. Ankit. The team initiated targeted efforts by activating local informers, collecting human intelligence, and mounting intensive patrolling in vulnerable areas for the prevention and detection of vehicle thefts.

On 10.07.2025, a credible input was received from a secret informer at the AATS East District Office regarding one notorious and desperate auto-lifter, Ashraf Sultan Gazi R/o Wazirabad, Delhi, Age 34 years. Ashraf Sultan is a habitual offender, previously jailed multiple times in auto theft cases. Recently released, he had resumed vehicle thefts in Delhi along with his associates. Their modus operandi involved stealing vehicles from Delhi, transporting them to Meerut, fitting them with fake number plates, and subsequently selling them in Punjab, Rajasthan, Kolkata, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat. They were also known to carry illegal firearms and were considered armed and dangerous.

Based on this intelligence, a trap was strategically laid by the team at Nala road, Gazipur opposite Rajveer colony. During surveillance, a white Hyundai i20 without registration number was spotted coming from the PS Gazipur side. The driver, sporting a black beard, was identified by the informer as Ashraf Sultan Gazi. The team signaled him to stop, but he attempted to flee. After a brief but coordinated chase, he was successfully apprehended. HC Ashwani conducted a search and recovered a loaded sophisticated country-made pistol from his right side and two live cartridges from his pocket. Upon being asked for vehicle documents, the accused failed to produce any. The engine and chassis numbers of the Hyundai i20 were verified and confirming it as stolen from the jurisdiction of PS Raja Park, Delhi. Consequently, a case was registered as FIR No. 332/25, U/s 25 Arms Act at PS Ghazipur, Delhi.

INVESTIGATION & INTERROGATION: -

During sustained interrogation, Ashraf Sultan confessed to being a part of a well-organized inter-state vehicle theft racket, actively operating in Delhi, Meerut (U.P.), and Chhattisgarh. He further disclosed that the stolen vehicles were being sold to Mohd. Irshad @ Basbu R/o Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, as well as to other receivers in Kolkata, Rajasthan, and Meerut. Acting on the information provided during custodial interrogation, a raid was conducted at the garage of Mohd. Irshad @ Basbu in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. During the operation, one Hyundai Creta car and a detached engine of another vehicle were recovered from the premises of Baba Car Garage. Upon verification through engine and chassis numbers, both the recovered items were confirmed to be stolen vehicles from Delhi (jurisdiction of PS Hauz Khas and PS Vivek Vihar).

Subsequently, another raid was conducted at an open parking area near Noor Nagar Colony, Murad Nagar, Ghaziabad, U.P., where two stolen vehicles a Hyundai Creta and a Kia Seltos were recovered. Upon verification, both vehicles were found to have been stolen from the jurisdictions of PS Pandav Nagar and PS Mandawali, respectively. During sustained interrogation, accused Ashraf Sultan disclosed that he has been committing vehicle thefts in collaboration with his associates, namely Irshad, Sakir @ Gaddu, Ujair, and Rashid @ Kala. The aforementioned co-accused persons are yet to be apprehended. Through this commendable effort a total of five motor vehicle theft cases have been solved, and one case under the Arms Act has been registered. The investigation is ongoing, with multiple leads being pursued to arrest the remaining accused.

MODUS OPERANDI: -

The accused used master keys to steal high-end vehicles from Delhi, affixed fake number plates, and transported them to Meerut and other locations. The stolen vehicles were then sold to receivers across states including Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Kolkata. A garage in Bilaspur was used for storing and dismantling the vehicles to avoid detection.

PROFILE OF ACCUSED PERSONS:

1. Ashraf Sultan R/o Wazirabad, Delhi, age 34 years. He is a habitual and expert auto-lifter involved in multiple vehicle theft cases. He has been previously involved in 16 criminal cases, including vehicle theft, offences under the Arms Act, and cases related to recovery of stolen property.

2. Irshad @ Baba R/o Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, operates a vehicle service station and is actively involved in receiving and selling stolen vehicles. He has been previously involved in two criminal cases pertaining to receiving stolen property and destruction of evidence.

MOTIVE OF THE ACCUSED

During interrogation, it was revealed that the primary motive of the accused was financial gain through the systematic theft and resale of luxury vehicles. Accused Ashraf Sultan, recently released from jail, had resumed auto-lifting to sustain his lavish lifestyle and maintain influence within the criminal network. The gang specifically targeted high-end vehicles, which had high resale value in secondary markets across Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Kolkata, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.

The accused exploited the demand for luxury vehicles in small cities and remote areas, where verification of vehicle credentials is weak. By using master keys, fake number plates, and dismantling parts at unauthorized garages, they ensured that the vehicles could not be easily traced back to Delhi. Their operation was well-organized and spread across multiple states, with Irshad @ Baba acting as a key facilitator and receiver of stolen vehicles, often modifying or dismantling them for resale or use in illegal activities.

RECOVERY:

1. One country-made pistol along with two live cartridges.

2. One Hyundai i20 car bearing registration number DL4CAY**.

3. One Hyundai Creta car bearing registration number DL3CCT**.

4. One dismantled engine of a Maruti Baleno car bearing registration number DL08CAZ**.

5. One Hyundai Creta car bearing registration number DL12CV**.

6. One Kia Seltos car bearing registration number UP14GC**.

7. Two master keys/duplicate keys used for stealing vehicles.

8. Three pairs of fake number plates.

9. Tools and instruments used to affix fake number plates on stolen vehicles.

APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC

The general public is urged to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious activities related to unidentified or unregistered vehicles, unauthorized garages, or individuals dealing in second-hand vehicles without proper documentation. Timely information can play a crucial role in preventing crimes and assisting law enforcement agencies in apprehending criminals.

Residents, vehicle owners, and garage operators are also advised to:

• Always park vehicles in secure and well-lit areas.

• Install anti-theft devices and GPS trackers wherever possible.

• Avoid purchasing used vehicles without verifying ownership through proper legal channels.

• Report suspicious garages or workshops involved in modifying or dismantling vehicles without valid records.

Any information regarding such activities may be shared confidentially with East District Police via the nearest police station or through the helpline 112.

Together, we can make our communities safer and crime-free.

Mahesh Chandra - Delhi

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Date: 27-07-2025

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH BY EAST DISTRICT POLICE; INTER-STATE AUTO-LIFTER GANG BUSTED

Mahesh Chandra - Delhi

• One receiver of stolen vehicles was also arrested from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, who was operating a garage named “Baba Garage” used for storing and dismantling stolen cars.

• Master keys/duplicate keys used to commit the thefts and fake number plates used to conceal the identity of stolen vehicles were also seized.

• Luxury vehicles worth over ?1 crore were recovered based on disclosures made by both the accused.

• A total of five motor vehicle theft cases have been solved, and one case under the Arms Act has been registered.

TEAM & OPERATION

INVESTIGATION & INTERROGATION: -

MODUS OPERANDI: -

PROFILE OF ACCUSED PERSONS:

MOTIVE OF THE ACCUSED

RECOVERY:

1. One country-made pistol along with two live cartridges.

2. One Hyundai i20 car bearing registration number DL4CAY**.

3. One Hyundai Creta car bearing registration number DL3CCT**.

4. One dismantled engine of a Maruti Baleno car bearing registration number DL08CAZ**.

5. One Hyundai Creta car bearing registration number DL12CV**.

6. One Kia Seltos car bearing registration number UP14GC**.

7. Two master keys/duplicate keys used for stealing vehicles.

8. Three pairs of fake number plates.

9. Tools and instruments used to affix fake number plates on stolen vehicles.

APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC

Residents, vehicle owners, and garage operators are also advised to:

• Always park vehicles in secure and well-lit areas.

• Install anti-theft devices and GPS trackers wherever possible.

• Avoid purchasing used vehicles without verifying ownership through proper legal channels.

• Report suspicious garages or workshops involved in modifying or dismantling vehicles without valid records.

Any information regarding such activities may be shared confidentially with East District Police via the nearest police station or through the helpline 112.

Together, we can make our communities safer and crime-free.

Reporter: Mahesh Chandra - Delhi

Website: www.thecurrentscenario.in

Contact: +91 9586553631 | info@thecurrentscenario.in

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