Delhi Police busts auto-lifting racket; arrests 4, recovers 11 stolen cars

New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) Delhi Police has arrested four members of an interstate auto-lifting racket, including a historysheeter, and recovered 11 stolen cars from their possession, officials said on Tuesday. Police also seized a stolen auto-rickshaw and sophisticated electronic devices used to make duplicate keys from them, a senior police officer said. The accused, Kuldeep Singh alias Lucky (47), Balvinder alias Binda (32), Deepak alias Dev (32) and Bakshish Singh alias Manni (37), were arrested in Rohini district, he said. “Kuldeep, a historysheeter at the Alipur police station, was the mastermind of the racket. He was previously involved in 25 criminal cases, including those under the Arms Act. “Balvinder faced 15 theft cases, while Bakshish had eight criminal cases against him. Deepak, a resident of Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu, allegedly acted as a receiver of stolen vehicles,” the officer said. During interrogation, the accused confessed to stealing vehicles from Delhi and the neighbouring states, using a sophisticated electronic key-programming technology. The stolen vehicles were sold through interstate receivers, while some were dismantled and their spare parts sold in the grey market. Based on their disclosures, police recovered 11 stolen vehicles, including a Hyundai Alcazar, a Mahindra Thar, three Hyundai Cretas, two Maruti Balenos, a Maruti WagonR, a Hyundai Aura, a Maruti Swift Dzire and a Hyundai i20. A stolen auto-rickshaw used to transport dismantled motor parts was also seized, along with 50 duplicate electronic keys, a computerised key-cutting machine, a computer with key-programming software, a GPS detector or scanner, multiple fake registration number plates, and other tools. “The racket followed a well-planned modus operandi. Balvinder conducted a recce during the day to identify parked vehicles and shared the details with Kuldeep, who prepared duplicate keys. “The gang then stole the vehicles late at night without damaging the locks or windows to escape immediate suspicion,” the officer said. The accused wore face masks and carried a GPS detector to evade vehicle tracking, he said. PTI BM ARI