In a remarkable display of investigative prowess, Delhi Police cracked a mobile snatching case involving a foreign visitor within hours. The prime suspect, a drug-addled 16-year-old street dweller, was nabbed from Karol Bagh after a tourist from Mauritius reported the theft at Nabi Karim station.
The ordeal began on February 25, 2026, as the 56-year-old man and his spouse strolled through Paharganj’s vibrant bazaar. Exploiting the dense crowd, the thief deftly picked the phone from the victim’s pocket and vanished. An e-FIR was promptly registered, prompting a high-priority probe.
SHO Gulshan Nagpal spearheaded the effort, assembling a crack team including SI Neeraj Rathi, HC Vikas, HC Rajbir, and HC Manoj. Their strategy blended digital forensics with street-level intelligence: scanning CCTV across key routes and tracing the suspect’s path from DBG Road onwards.
After eight intense hours of chase, surveillance, and footwork, the police cornered the minor near Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, where he begged for survival. Interrogation painted a grim picture—mother fled years ago, father deceased in 2025, life sustained by substances, alms, and crimes like this one.
The boy detailed slipping the phone from the tourist’s jeans amid the market hustle. Officers retrieved the gadget, holding both SIMs from India and Mauritius. This bust not only returns property to its owner but highlights vulnerabilities in tourist spots and police readiness to act.
As the minor faces juvenile proceedings, the incident serves as a reminder for travelers to stay vigilant in crowded Delhi markets. Enhanced patrols and tech-driven policing continue to safeguard the city’s tourism lifeline.