Smile during ‘snatching’ leads police to staged robbery plot

New Delhi: A smile caught on CCTV footage helped police crack what initially appeared to be a daylight robbery in north Delhi’s Wazirabad.

Investigators grew suspicious after spotting the complainant smiling at the alleged snatchers during the incident — a clue that eventually exposed what police claim was a staged theft of Rs 6.5 lakh. Three people were arrested in the case.

Police received a PCR call regarding the alleged snatching near the old Yamuna bridge on May 4 at around 6pm. The complainant, 20-year-old Ayush Mishra, told police that he worked at the office of a chartered accountant in Burari and was travelling to Rajendra Place on a motorcycle to deliver cash when two bike-borne men allegedly snatched a black bag containing Rs 6.5 lakh.

“During the investigation, the team thoroughly analysed CCTV footage from the spot and adjoining routes,” said DCP (North) Raja Banthia. “In one of the clips, Mishra was seen smiling while the alleged snatchers followed him carrying the same black bag,” he added.

The footage, along with other inconsistencies in Mishra’s account, raised suspicion. Police found it unusual that although Mishra claimed the incident had taken place around 3.30pm, the matter was reported only at 6pm.

During questioning, Mishra allegedly confessed to orchestrating the fake robbery with two associates, Ashu (28) and Akash (33), police said.

The co-accused were subsequently arrested and the entire amount was recovered from the trio. According to police, Mishra had recently moved to Delhi and had joined the CA’s office around two months ago. The three allegedly planned the snatching nearly five days before executing it.

Police said the accused headed towards Khajoori after the incident and later took a U-turn in an attempt to mislead investigators. A case was registered at Wazirabad police.