Pockets picked, mobile phone stolen at the airport on Deepa Malik’s arrival

Deepa Malik’s father B K Nagpal lost his wallet while he was waiting for her at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi in the wee hours of Saturday.

Updated on: Sep 19, 2016, 14:35:22 IST

Hindustan Times | By Leena Dhankhar, Gurgaon

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Deepa Malik’s father B K Nagpal lost his wallet while he was waiting for her at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi in the wee hours of Saturday. The incident took place when the 74-year-old retired Colonel was waiting in the VIP area gate No 3 for other army officials and family members ahead of Malik’s arrival.

Within two hours of the incident, Nagpal received an SMS alert from his bank that a transaction had been declined as a wrong PIN was entered. The family immediately reported the matter to police and a complaint was lodged (Rahul Grover/HT Photo)

“Around 2.30am, when he was standing near the crowd to welcome her, someone picked his wallet the back pocket of the trousers,” said Devika Malik, Nagpal’s granddaughter and Deepika’s daughter.

The family said the wallet had Nagpal’s identity card, Aadhaar card, debit cards and money.

Within two hours of the incident, Nagpal received an SMS alert from his bank that a transaction had been declined as a wrong PIN was entered. The family immediately reported the matter to police and a complaint was lodged.

“It is shocking. The incident took place despite such tight security arrangement. My father had come to receive me. He also had to attend an army function on Sunday,” said Deepa Malik.

This was not the only such incident reported from the airport at that time. At least three cellphones and wallets of serving army officials were picked as they waited to welcome Malik.

One of the army officers who lost his phone said, “I had kept my phone in the front pocket. It is so shocking that the incident took place despite such heavy security arrangements.”

The family members said they are hopeful that police will nab the culprit soon.

“The SMS alert sent by the bank will provide the location of the accused. CCTV footage can also help the investigation,” Devika said.

A senior police officer at the airport police station said B K Nagpal filed an e-FIR and the matter is being investigated.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More