New Delhi, June 19: In a major breakthrough against vehicle theft and street crime, the East District Police on Friday arrested an auto-lifter and recovered two stolen two-wheelers along with two stolen mobile phones. The arrest has helped police solve four theft cases registered across different police stations in Delhi.

The accused, identified as Rohit alias ‘Pistol’, was apprehended by a team from Police Station Madhu Vihar following a targeted operation based on specific Intelligence inputs. Police said the accused was found to be involved in multiple criminal cases related to robbery, snatching and theft.

According to officials, the operation was carried out as part of the East District Police’s ongoing drive to curb vehicle theft, snatching and other street crimes.

A dedicated team was formed under the supervision of Inspector Sandeep Arya, Acting SHO of Madhu Vihar Police Station, and under the overall guidance of the ACP of Madhu Vihar Sub-Division. The team comprised Head Constables Arun, Sachin Tyagi and Neeraj.

On June 16, while conducting routine patrols in the Madhu Vihar area, the police team received a tip-off from a reliable informer. The informer disclosed that an auto-lifter would arrive near Tarawati Hospital in Joshi Colony to sell a stolen scooter at a heavily discounted price of around Rs 8,000.

Acting swiftly on the information, the police laid a trap near the hospital and kept the area under surveillance. At around 6.30 P.M., a suspect arrived riding a TVS N-Torq scooter without a registration number plate. The police intercepted and apprehended him on the spot.

During questioning, the suspect identified himself as Rohit alias ‘Pistol’, a resident of Mandawali in East Delhi. Verification of the scooter through the ZIPNET database revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen from the Shakarpur area. The scooter was linked to an e-FIR registered on June 15 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

During a search of the vehicle, police also recovered two mobile phones. Further verification established that both phones had been reported stolen in separate theft cases registered at Madhu Vihar Police Station earlier this year. The recovered property was seized and the accused was formally arrested.

During sustained interrogation, Rohit allegedly disclosed that he had hidden another stolen motorcycle near the Community Centre in Joshi Colony, Mandawali. Acting on his disclosure, the police team recovered a Yamaha motorcycle from the location.

Subsequent verification confirmed that the motorcycle had been stolen from the Pandav Nagar area and was linked to an e-FIR registered on May 19, 2026. Police said the recovery further strengthened the case against the accused and helped solve another pending vehicle theft case.

The accused was produced before the court on June 17 and was subsequently remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway to ascertain his possible involvement in other cases of vehicle theft and street crimes across the city.

Police said Rohit, 27, is a daily wage labourer who studied up to Class 10. Originally from Anna Nagar in Daryaganj, he is currently residing in Mandawali. During the investigation, it emerged that he is a drug addict and a habitual offender with a criminal record.

According to investigators, Rohit primarily targeted parked two-wheelers in different parts of Delhi. To avoid detection, he would remove the registration number plates of stolen vehicles before attempting to sell them at throwaway prices. Police also said he frequently retained or disposed of stolen mobile phones to earn quick money, which was allegedly used to fund his drug addiction and meet daily expenses.

Officials further revealed that the accused has previously been involved in at least four criminal cases related to robbery, snatching and theft registered in Delhi.

The recovered property includes a stolen TVS N-Torq scooter linked to a theft case registered at Shakarpur Police Station, a stolen Yamaha motorcycle linked to a case registered at Pandav Nagar Police Station, and two stolen mobile phones connected with separate cases registered at Madhu Vihar Police Station.

With these recoveries, police have successfully worked out four cases, including two mobile phone theft cases from Madhu Vihar and two vehicle theft cases registered at Shakarpur and Pandav Nagar police stations.

Jaipur, June 19: Acting under a ‘zero tolerance’ policy and following directions from the Union Home Ministry, a joint team of the district administration, police, and Border Security Force (BSF) launched a major operation against alleged illegal constructions within 15 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan’s Barmer district.

The action was carried out in border villages falling under the Gadra Road and Chauhatan subdivisions in Barmer district.

Authorities had earlier surveyed the structures and issued notices directing occupants to remove the alleged illegal constructions by June 18.

However, after the deadline passed without compliance, the district administration, police, and BSF initiated a joint demolition and removal drive on Thursday. The operation covered villages including Hamirani, Malana, Kerkori, Chauhatan, Bhalgaon, and Demba, where officials inspected and verified the legality of permanent structures. According to the administration, the exercise forms part of an intensified border security initiative aimed at identifying and removing unauthorised constructions in sensitive areas near the international border.

Officials said the action was undertaken in accordance with security directives and legal procedures, with prior notices served to affected parties. The administration maintains that the drive is focused on ensuring compliance with regulations in strategically important border zones.

However, the operation has sparked resentment among sections of the local community, with residents and public representatives questioning both the timing and manner of the action. Members of the affected community have termed the demolitions unfair and alleged that adequate consultation was not carried out before the drive was launched.

The issue has also triggered a political controversy. Ahead of the action, Congress in-charge and Baytu MLA Harish Chaudhary and Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Ummedaram Beniwal held a press conference opposing the move. They alleged that the operation was being carried out for political gain and warned against turning the sensitive border region into a political battleground.

“The border area should not become part of a political agenda. Such actions risk damaging the centuries-old social harmony and brotherhood that exists in the Thar region,” the leaders said.

Congress representatives also met the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and formally objected to the drive. They argued that undertaking such a large-scale operation without meaningful dialogue with local residents and elected representatives was inappropriate.

It needs to be mentioned here that a comprehensive security blueprint has been devised and implemented following directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to completely dismantle cross-border networks involved in infiltration, drug smuggling, and other illegal activities aided by modern drone technology.

Under this plan, four Rajasthan border districts, namely, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar, have been designated as ‘Special Watch Zones’.

The Border Security Force (BSF), district administration, local police, and central and state intelligence agencies will now function under a unified command structure.

The initiative aims to establish complete transparency, enhanced surveillance, and stringent security oversight of all activities within a 50-kilometre radius of the India-Pakistan border, ensuring swift detection and prevention of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

Patna, June 18: Tension gripped Bilauti village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district on Thursday after the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during a police encounter a day earlier.

The incident has triggered widespread protests, with family members and villagers alleging that the police used excessive force and demanding an impartial investigation.

Bharat Bhushan Tiwari was injured during an encounter on Wednesday when a joint team of the Shahpur police and the Special Task Force (STF) attempted to arrest him following reports that he had been brandishing a firearm and allegedly firing at police personnel.

He was initially taken to Shahpur Referral Hospital before being referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where he later died during treatment.

However, the deceased’s family has strongly disputed the police version of events.

Speaking amid the protests, Bharat Bhushan’s mother questioned the circumstances of the encounter and accused the police of shooting her son despite his surrender.

“My son was dedicated to social welfare. He had surrendered, yet the police shot him. Why was he shot after surrendering?” she asked.

She further claimed that her son had been influenced by others and was not the owner of any licensed firearm.

“He had a hot temper, but someone from the village gave him the pistol and misled him. He surrendered, yet they fired five shots at him,” she alleged.

The grieving mother also described her son as someone who frequently helped people in the village and said the family was struggling to understand why such action was taken against him.

Anger over the incident spilled onto the streets as hundreds of villagers gathered near Bilauti village and blocked the Ara-Buxar four-lane highway.

Protesters placed the deceased’s body on the road and raised slogans against the police administration.

Witnesses estimated that between 1,000 and 1,500 people participated in the demonstration, causing major traffic disruptions and long queues of vehicles on both sides of the highway.

Villagers alleged that the encounter was staged and questioned the legality of the police action.

“There is no provision for killing a person who is surrendering. If someone wants to surrender in a case, can the police shoot him dead? An impartial inquiry must be conducted,” one protester said.

Another villager claimed that Bharat Bhushan had no criminal background and was known locally for social work.

The controversy comes days after a video allegedly showing Bharat Bhushan Tiwari brandishing a firearm went viral on social media.

According to police, officers initially visited his residence to investigate the video, during which he allegedly threatened personnel with a pistol.

Police stated that when officers returned with STF support to arrest him on Wednesday morning, he opened fire on the team, forcing them to retaliate in self-defence.

The encounter resulted in multiple gunshot injuries to Tiwari.

The incident has already led to departmental action. Following the circulation of videos from the operation, Shahabad Range DIG Dr Satyaprakash ordered the suspension of the Shahpur Station House Officer (SHO), along with a sub-inspector and a constable, citing alleged negligence and lapses in handling the situation.

Following Thursday’s protests, additional police personnel were deployed in the area to maintain law and order.