New Delhi, Oct 26: Delhi Police have arrested a 72-year-old woman in connection with the alleged theft of a foreign national's bag from a shop in Paharganj, recovering Rs 1,85,500 in Indian currency and $2,600 in US dollars from her possession, officials said on Monday. The accused was identified as Savita Gandhi, also known as Saroj Gandhi, and was apprehended on October 24 from Uttam Nagar in West Delhi, IANS reported.

Source: IANS via BizzBuzz

The incident came to light on October 21, when the foreign national lodged an online complaint about the theft. According to police, the accused allegedly took the bag while the visitor was shopping at a store in Paharganj. The stolen bag contained a passport, visa documents, $2,600, Rs 2.5 lakh in Indian currency, three credit cards and a Samsung mobile phone.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

Following the complaint, personnel from Police Post Sangatrashan, under Paharganj police station, launched the investigation. A dedicated team comprising SI Sahil, W/SI Khaiko Asune, HC Bhageerath, HC Niranjan, W/Ct Mohini Bharti and Ct Lalit was constituted under the leadership of SI S.N. Ojha, in-charge of the police post, working under the supervision of the SHO, Paharganj, and the ACP, Paharganj, Nation Press reported.

Source: Nation Press

During the probe, investigators analysed footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras installed in and around the area. Human intelligence from local sources, and coordination with officers who had previously arrested the suspect, helped establish her identity and locate her, after which a raid was conducted in Uttam Nagar and she was apprehended on October 24. Police said the clothes she allegedly wore at the time of the offence were also recovered.

Source: IANS via BizzBuzz

Rs 1,85,500 + $2,600Cash recovered from the accused's possession, according to police
100+CCTV cameras whose footage investigators analysed to identify the accused
Oct 24Date the accused was apprehended in Uttam Nagar, West Delhi

A case has been registered at Paharganj police station under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police said the accused allegedly admitted involvement during interrogation; they further allege that she is a habitual offender with 14 previous criminal involvements, including cases at several Delhi police stations, that she was recently released from Tihar Jail, and that she allegedly used her senior-citizen appearance to avoid suspicion. These are police allegations in an ongoing investigation and have not been proved in court. Investigators are continuing efforts to recover the remaining belongings, including the passport, visa documents, credit cards and mobile phone, The Indian Witness reported.

Source: The Indian Witness