28 June 2023, Mumbai: In an armed robbery incident at the Pragati Maidan tunnel on June 24, the exact sum stolen by four assailants at gunpoint remains unconfirmed, even after a few days. While the police have successfully apprehended seven individuals, including the primary conspirator, the mastermind behind the crime is still at large. As of now, the recovered amount from the seven accused stands at around Rs 5 lakh. This raises doubts about whether the stolen money could be linked to ‘hawala transactions,’ as it exceeds the victim’s initial complaint of the stolen amount ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
The passage of time has only heightened the uncertainty surrounding the precise sum involved in the robbery. A senior police officer revealed that they are maintaining communication with the complainant and continuing their investigation. Police teams are actively conducting raids in western Uttar Pradesh and various other locations to apprehend the remaining two to three suspects who are currently on the run.
According to the police, five of the accused were arrested by separate teams from the Crime Branch, while two others were apprehended by a combined team from the North District and New Delhi District. The arrested individuals have been identified as Usman Ali alias Kallu, Irfan, and Sumit alias Akash, all residents of Burari; Anuj Mishra alias Sanki, a resident of Bhalswa Dairy; Kuldeep alias Lungad from Jahangirpuri; Pradeep alias Sonu, a resident of Baghpat; and Amit alias Bala from Loni in Ghaziabad.
The investigation has been aided by CCTV footage obtained by the Delhi Police, which revealed that four armed men on two motorcycles intercepted a car at the Pragati Maidan tunnel on the Outer Ring Road. Their target was a delivery agent and his associate, both employed by Omiya Enterprises in Chandni Chowk. After holding the victims at gunpoint, the assailants fled the scene with a bag containing cash.
The incident unfolded when the delivery agent, who worked for a private firm in Chandni Chowk, and his associate set out on a journey to deliver a bag of cash to Gurugram. The Chandni Chowk area is known for its frequent money transactions, with several shops dealing in currency exchange.
Chandni Chowk serves as a hub for cash agents who regularly handle money transfers. An anonymous “Angadiya” (money dealer) in the area confirmed that they hand over money to these agents after verifying the details.
While suspicions of ongoing hawala transactions persist in the area, the police have yet to confirm these allegations. Additionally, questions have been raised regarding the delivery agent’s initial complaint, stating that the bag contained Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
Article by PRITESH PATEL