Private Bus Turned Crime Tool: Delhi Police Arrest Three for Night Loots

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Thursday busted a criminal gang that had adopted a very different and shocking method of committing crimes. This gang ran a private bus of its own, whose sole purpose was to rob the passengers. Police have arrested three people in this case, who have been carrying out this plan for the last two months.

How was the game of loot going on in the name of bus service?

The accused had purchased a 23-seater bus and was running it like a normal private bus. To attract passengers, very low fares were kept. As soon as people boarded the bus, after covering some distance, they were threatened and beaten, and their money and mobile phones were snatched. After this, the bus would drop the passengers in deserted areas and move ahead.

On which route did this bus run?

According to the police, the bus mainly picked up passengers from Anand Vihar Railway Station and surrounding areas. After this the bus was taken towards the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, where the robbery was carried out in the moving bus itself.

Why did the bus run only at night and early morning?

Investigation revealed that the accused deliberately drove the bus in the night and early morning hours so that the police presence was less and no one got suspicious. Because of this strategy, they survived for a long time.

How did the police get the clue?

Complaints of passengers started coming from many areas of Central and North Delhi. People said that after boarding a cheap bus, they were robbed and left at unknown places. Based on these complaints, the police started an investigation and identified the bus through local inquiry.

Where and how was the accused caught?

The police team laid a trap near Rajghat red light and stopped the bus. At that time the accused were threatening the passengers present inside the bus. The police caught all three on the spot and confiscated the bus.

Who are the arrested accused?

The arrested people have been identified as Yogesh (41), Arshad (46) and Prem Shankar (28). Yogesh used to drive the bus and is said to be the leader of the gang, while Arshad and Prem Shankar used to beat and rob the passengers by posing as conductors and helpers.

How much money had the gang earned?

According to the police, the accused used to make two to three trips every day. From the fare itself, he had withdrawn around Rs 90 thousand, which he had spent on hiring the bus. Apart from this, they used to loot Rs 1,000 to 2,000 separately every day. It is estimated that the gang made illegal earnings of more than Rs 1 lakh in two months.

Previous criminal record?

According to police records, several cases related to assault, robbery and Arms Act are already registered against Yogesh. Police say that this case is also serious because a completely fake transport service was set up to commit the crime. At present, the interrogation of the accused is going on, and it is also being investigated whether other people were involved in such incidents.