Athlete arrested for robberies

New Delhi: A former Indian Idol contestant and taekwondo national gold medallist was arrested for robberies in parts of Outer Delhi. The police has also arrested his associate in this connection.

With their arrest, the police has cracked five cases of robbery and vehicle theft. A country made pistol, a live cartridge, a pepper spray, two scooties, and a purse belonging to the complainant containing his ATM card, were recovered at the instance of the accused persons.

The arrested has been identified as Suraj alias Fighter (28), a resident of Gupta Enclave in Vikas Nagar, Delhi. The accused is well qualified and has a diploma in computer engineering. He is also a two-time national gold medallist in Taekwondo and can speak English fluently. A good singer, Suraj had participated in Indian Idol. He is also the gang leader and has been previously involved in 24 criminal cases of robbery and vehicle theft in Delhi.

Suraj was arrested in 2014 by the Janak Puri police and 49 mobiles were recovered from his possession. After that he was again arrested in June 2017 by Tilak Nagar police as he was involved in cases of robbery.

His associate has been identified as Anil (22), a resident of Vikas Nagar. Accused Suraj and Anil, along with their friend Mustaq, carried through the robbery of the present case with the help of a country made pistol and pepper spray.

Probe reveals that on October 21, an incident of robbery was reported under the jurisdiction of Ranhola in which three unknown persons robbed Deepak, the victim. He was robbed after the gang used pepper spray on him and brandished a country made pistol, following which they fled with the victim’s gold chain and a leather purse. 

On the basis of a tip-off,  a trap was laid and the  team successfully managed to nab Suraj and Anil.