Delhi Police have arrested a 72-year-old woman in connection with the theft of a foreign national’s bag from a shop in Paharganj and recovered Rs 1,85,500 in Indian currency and $2,600 from her possession, officials said on Monday.

According to the police, the accused, identified as Savita Gandhi, alias Saroj Gandhi, was arrested on October 24 from Uttam Nagar in West Delhi. She allegedly stole the bag while the foreign national was shopping in Paharganj.

The incident came to light on October 21, when the foreign national lodged an online complaint regarding the theft.

The stolen bag contained a passport, visa documents, $2,600, Rs 2.5 lakh in Indian currency, three credit cards and a Samsung mobile phone.

Following the complaint, the staff of Police Post Sangatrashan, under Paharganj police station, launched an investigation to identify the accused and recover the stolen belongings.

A dedicated police team comprising SI Sahil, W/SI Khaiko Asune, HC Bhageerath, HC Niranjan, W/Ct Mohini Bharti and Ct Lalit was constituted under the leadership of SI S.N. Ojha, in-charge of Police Post Sangatrashan. The team worked under the supervision of the Station House Officer (SHO), Paharganj, and the overall supervision of the ACP, Paharganj.

During the investigation, police analysed footage from more than 100 CCTV cameras installed in and around the area. Human intelligence and information developed through local sources also helped investigators identify the suspect.

After establishing her identity, the team gathered information about her whereabouts with the assistance of informers and by coordinating with investigating officers who had arrested her in previous cases.

Acting on the information, the police conducted a raid and apprehended the accused in Uttam Nagar on October 24.

The stolen Indian currency and US dollars were subsequently recovered from her possession. Police said the clothes she wore at the time of the offence were also recovered.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly admitted to her involvement in the theft.

According to the police, she is a habitual offender with 14 previous criminal involvements, including cases registered at several police stations in Delhi. She was also recently released from Tihar Jail.

Police further said that the accused allegedly used her senior-citizen appearance to avoid suspicion while committing thefts. The details regarding the opening of her history sheet and a proposal for her externment are being verified.

A case has been registered under FIR No. 80090378/26 under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Paharganj police station.

Further legal proceedings are underway.

Delhi Police has solved a robbery case registered at DBG Road police station by arresting two men and apprehending a 15-year-old juvenile. Police also recovered a Vivo Y58 mobile phone allegedly stolen from the complainant during the robbery, an official said on Monday.

The incident took place on October 11 at around 7.30 p.m., when the complainant was returning from Karol Bagh Market to his residence in Manakpura. According to the police, the complainant was near TT Garments on East Park Road, close to Ajmal Khan Park, when three males allegedly followed and intercepted him. Initially, there were no known suspects or clear clues in the case, officials said.

The accused allegedly assaulted the complainant before fleeing with his Vivo Y58 mobile phone and Rs 2,000 in cash. They escaped from the spot following the robbery.

After the incident, police registered a case at DBG Road police station under Sections 309(4) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and began an investigation to identify and apprehend the accused.

The case was subsequently solved by the crack team of DBG Road police station through an investigation involving the analysis of CCTV footage and technical surveillance. Investigators examined available footage and pursued technical leads to establish the identities of the suspects.

A crucial lead obtained through a Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transaction helped the team identify the accused and trace their whereabouts. Acting on the information gathered during the investigation, the police apprehended all three suspects from their respective residences.

The accused were identified as Rohit alias Sumit, 18, a resident of Motia Khan, Sadar Thana Road, Delhi; Krishna, 19, a resident of Mangol Puri, Delhi; and a 15-year-old juvenile, also residing in Motia Khan, police said.

The two adult accused were arrested and subsequently remanded to judicial custody. The juvenile was dealt with in accordance with the applicable law and sent to an appropriate Child Observation Home.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that they had committed the robbery to earn quick money through illegal means, according to the police. One Vivo Y58 mobile phone, allegedly robbed from the complainant, was recovered during the operation.

The operation was carried out by a team comprising ASI Surender, Head Constables Manish and Satish, and Constables Ravi, Arun and Neeraj. The team worked under the close supervision of DBG Road Station House Officer Inspector Randhir Singh and the overall supervision of ACP Paharganj Dharampal. Investigation in the matter is underway.

A special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday acquitted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case over alleged objectionable remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was the BJP president at the time.

Rahul Gandhi was present before the court at the time of the pronouncement of the verdict. The court said Rahul Gandhi’s remarks are not defamatory.

The defamation case was filed by local BJP leader Vijay Mishra, a former chairman of the Sultanpur District Cooperative Bank. Rahul Gandhi made the alleged remark during a campaign rally in Bengaluru ahead of the 2018 Karnataka Assembly elections.

Mishra had alleged that Gandhi made derogatory remarks about Shah, citing his statement that while the BJP professed a commitment to honest and clean politics, it was led by a “party president who is an accused in a murder case”.

Gandhi appeared before the court for the final proceedings in the case on Monday. He travelled to Sultanpur via Lucknow.

After the court verdict, Congress leaders and supporters were seen celebrating outside the court with drums and slogans.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Rahul Gandhi’s counsel, Kashi Prasad Shukla, said, “We respectfully accept the court’s decision, and the truth has ultimately prevailed. Rahul Gandhi had to face many hardships during this period…”

The complaint was filed in 2018, and the matter was subsequently heard by the special MP-MLA court in Sultanpur.

In February 2024, Gandhi appeared before the court and was granted bail on personal bonds. The proceedings continued thereafter.

Earlier this year, Gandhi travelled from Lucknow to the Sultanpur District Court amid heavy security to record his statement. He missed an earlier hearing scheduled for January 19, following which the court fixed February 20 as the next date.

After arguments from both sides concluded, the court delivered its verdict on Monday, acquitting Gandhi in the defamation case.

Earlier in the day, Vijay Mishra’s counsel, Santosh Kumar Pandey, said, “If he is convicted, arguments will be heard on that point. After that, the court will deliver its verdict immediately. The possible outcomes are that he may either be acquitted or sentenced by the court. The maximum punishment prescribed is up to two years of imprisonment. There is also a provision for a fine. The court may impose both imprisonment and a fine, or either one of them.”