New Delhi: Under the cover of darkness, as the buzz of Delhi Metro trains stopped, this group of thieves would scale the towering pillars of the elevated tracks, seeking out their prize — valuable copper cables. For years, these thieves plagued Delhi Metro, causing not just disruptions in service, but also significant financial losses.
Last week, their run finally came to a grinding halt. In a breakthrough that followed a lengthy investigation, Delhi Police arrested four alleged members of the gang — Rashid Malik, Shahrukh Malik, Ramzan and Junaid.
The group allegedly targeted Delhi Metro’s elevated tracks between Moti Nagar and Kirti Nagar. Joint commissioner of police (transport range) Vijay Singh said the members used to conduct reconnaissance of the area during the day to identify vulnerable spots. They would typically strike at night after DMRC services ceased.
To execute the task, the gang allegedly hired ‘specialists’ — Islam, Nadeem, Siddhu and Teli — who used ropes and hooks to scale the metro pillars and reach the tracks. There, they would cut the cables, which carried no electricity at night, and throw them to their accomplices who would be lying in wait next to the parked vehicle close to the metro pillar. Later, the accused used to sell the stolen cables for a profit.
Police said the gang had a well-organised network, with Shahrukh and Ramzan tasked with transporting the stolen cables in a loader vehicle. Rashid and Faiz used to be in a Honda Amaze that would be guiding the other vehicle carrying the cables. The cables would be weighed and sold, with some portion of the cable taken out and the remaining shifted to a rented godown in Brajpuri area.
Police recovered 55 metres of stolen cable, a Tata Ace loader vehicle and two mobile phones from the accused. They are conducting raids to nab other suspects — Masoom, Faizal, Islam, Nadeem, Siddhu, Teli and Sarfaraz.
“Rashid Malik, Faizal, Masoom and Junaid are the masterminds,” said DCP Singh. Rashid Malik, said police, was previously involved in three other theft cases.
Deputy commissioner of police (Metro) G Ram Gopal Naik said this year alone, police have solved 22 out of 44 theft cases, arresting 53 suspects in the process. “Delhi Police has conducted a security audit of metro stations and written to DMRC highlighting the vulnerabilities,” he added.
