Three arrested for Oct 4 assault on journalist, other robberies

Three persons were arrested for allegedly robbing and assaulting a Zee TV correspondent last week, says the police.

Three persons were arrested Thursday for allegedly robbing and assaulting a Zee TV correspondent last week, police said.

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The men have also been charged for another robbery case and police are probing their role in three other robberies.

Five cases of such autorickshaw-borne criminals robbing people have come to light in last three months.

According to the police, the criminals had a unique modus operandi. They used to hire autorickshaws from drivers for a whole night and then used to move around in them, looking for probable victims.

The police have recovered a knife, two silver rings, mobile phones and an autorickshaw that was used in crime.

“The arrested men, Noor Ahmed (20), Mohammed Yasin (18) and Danish (18), were using an autorickshaw to lure their victims. Danish used to drive the autorickshaw and when someone would hire his auto, three of his associates, posing as passengers, would also board the vehicle. After reaching an isolated place, they would rob the passenger,” said DCP South district, HGS Dhaliwal.

On 27 September, the trio along, with another of their aide, robbed Rs 7,000, mobile phone; two silver rings at knifepoint from Deepak Rana who had hired their auto from Indira Gandhi Domestic Airport, said police.

Similarly the trio tried to rob Saurav Mishra, a journalist with Zee TV, near Andrews Ganj flyover on October 4.

They fled when Mishra resisted their attempt and raised an alarm.

Police increased vigil after the incidents and acting on a tip off, apprehended the accused from near Deer Park in Hauz Khas. One of the robbers, Anish, managed to flee from the area, police said. The accused hail from Budayun district in UP.

“In each incident, they would change the autorickshaw to evade the police detection. They used to hire the autorickshaws from Danish’s friend from Kardampuri area for Rs 300 a day. We will interrogate the auto owner in this regard too,” added the officer.