In a commendable display of swift action and coordinated efforts, the Raipur police have successfully apprehended the suspects involved in a chain snatching incident. The case pertains to an incident that occurred on 13th October 2023, near the Kushalpur Danteshwari Temple, where two unidentified individuals, their faces concealed with scarves, snatched a gold chain from a woman and fled on a white Activa vehicle.
The victim, Mrs. Renu Vaishnav, reported the incident at Purani Basti police station, following which a case was registered under Section 392, 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The incident prompted a rapid response from the local authorities, with the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr. Additional Superintendent of Police, and other officials directing a dedicated team to apprehend the suspects promptly.
The team, comprised of officers from Anti-Crime and Cyber Unit and Purani Basti police station, embarked on an extensive investigative operation. They began by gathering detailed information from witnesses and inquiring with residents in the vicinity, including the victim, to understand the nature of the crime and the identities of the culprits.
Their efforts extended to the examination of the incident site and the review of CCTV camera footage in the area. The team employed various investigative techniques to identify the unknown accused.
In an important development, the team received a tip-off about Ankit Soni, a resident of Sunder Nagar, D.D. Nagar, who was linked to the incident. Ankit Soni was located, and he was questioned regarding the chain snatching case. Despite initially denying his involvement, Ankit Soni eventually confessed to his participation in the crime when presented with evidence.
Subsequently, the team tracked down Pradeep Malik, alias Rahul, the accomplice of Ankit Soni in the chain snatching incident. The two suspects were arrested, and valuable evidence was seized, including a gold chain and a Honda Activa (with registration number CG/04/DP/9313) valued at approximately Rs 90,000, which had been used in the crime.
Further investigation revealed that Pradeep Malik, alias Rahul, and Ankit Soni had used the stolen Honda Activa in a separate vehicle theft in the Pachpedhi area under New Rajendra Nagar police station on the same day.
In light of the vehicle theft, Pradeep Malik and another accomplice, Syed Asif Ali, were arrested, and a case under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code was registered in the New Rajendra Nagar police station.
Pradeep Malik, alias Rahul, was previously involved in multiple cases of mobile robbery and theft across different police stations in Raipur, including Ganj, Saraswati Nagar, Azad Chowk, Kotwali, and New Rajendra Nagar.
The successful apprehension of the suspects was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Raipur police, highlighting their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the local community.