Crime of averages: goons on bikes strike twice every day

They strike on average twice a day. They have killed four people so far this year. Criminals on motorbikes have been terrorizing Delhiites.

They strike on average twice a day. They have killed four people so far this year. Criminals on motorbikes have been terrorizing Delhiites.

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The motorbike’s speed, size and immense maneuverability makes it ideal for quick getaways, once a crime has been committed.

Last Saturday, brass components’ dealer Nilesh Jain, a mere onlooker, was shot dead by men on bikes just because he came in their way, after they failed to snatch Rs 50,000 from two traders at the Bara Hindu Rao market.

Curiously, most ‘bike criminals’ are first time offenders. “In 90 per cent of cases, we find that bike riding criminals are first time offenders,” said Rajan Bhagat, police spokesman. “It is very difficult to track them as many of them don’t have any previous record.”

“We’re all feeling unsafe,” said Praveen Khandelwal, president of a local traders’ organisation “What is the police doing?”

Till November 30 this year, 828 cases of robbery and snatching by criminals on motorbikes have been recorded. Police claim that the figure is lower than last year that saw 931 cases.

But many argue that police do not register all such cases to keep crime figures low. “Fed up with police inaction we have started night patrolling in our society,” said Anuj Kumar Mathur, secretary of a housing society in Dwarka’s Sector

“Dwarka has seen several such cases, but the police are reluctant to register cases.” A massive drive to verify the credentials of all 3.75 lakh motorbike driving licence holders begun in February this year.