New Delhi, August 17: Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has arrested three men and dismantled an alleged organised auto-theft and disposal syndicate that police say had operated for about 15 years, supplying stolen high-end vehicles across several states. Two stolen vehicles allegedly meant for sale to underground groups were recovered from Ukhrul district in Manipur near the Myanmar border.
The arrested men have been identified as Amit Nagar alias Sonu, 35, of Rohini, Delhi; Atom Jagat Singh, 45, of Imphal East, Manipur; and Potsangbam Mukesh Singh, 28, also of Imphal East. Police said Nagar, described as the gang leader, was arrested after provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act were invoked in the case.
According to the Crime Branch, five stolen cars, duplicate keys, 104 forged High Security Registration Plates, 24 forged Registration Certificates, mobile phones and a pre-activated SIM card were recovered during the investigation. Police said Nagar disclosed during interrogation that he had supplied more than 100 stolen high-end cars to receivers in different states across India.
The investigation began with scrutiny of vehicle theft cases in Delhi, including CCTV footage and field intelligence. On May 12, police arrested Mukesh Singh at Chhatarpur Enclave Phase-II and recovered forged RCs from him. A subsequent search of his rented premises led to the recovery of equipment used for fixing registration plates, 104 forged HSRPs and 22 additional forged RCs.
At Mukesh Singh’s instance, police recovered a stolen Maruti Baleno from Wazirabad Village. Atom Jagat Singh was arrested from Majnu Ka Tila on May 14, following which a stolen Maruti Swift was recovered from Mukherjee Nagar. Nagar was arrested on July 28, and a stolen Maruti Swift Dzire was subsequently recovered at his instance.
The investigation later moved to Manipur. On August 13, police recovered a Kia Seltos and a Hyundai Creta from Ukhrul district at the instance of Atom Jagat Singh. The vehicles had been reported stolen from Delhi. Police alleged that they had been taken to Ukhrul for further disposal and were intended to be sold to underground groups operating in the India-Myanmar border region.
Police said the alleged syndicate had separate groups handling vehicle theft, transportation, forged documents and number plates, and disposal. Stolen vehicles were allegedly supplied through associates in Manipur, Rajasthan, Punjab, Assam, West Bengal and other areas.
According to police, members involved in stealing vehicles used electronic equipment and computer-based scanning devices to bypass or hack Electronic Control Modules and generate duplicate keys, primarily targeting cars, SUVs and high-end vehicles. Forged registration plates and RCs were then allegedly arranged to facilitate transportation and resale.
During interrogation, Atom Jagat Singh allegedly told police that he purchased stolen vehicles from Nagar for about Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh each and resold them at a profit of around Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 per vehicle. Police also alleged that members used encrypted messaging platforms and pre-activated or fake identity-based SIM cards to avoid detection.
The Crime Branch said Nagar has previous involvement in 38 cases relating to the Arms Act, vehicle theft and other offences, while Atom Jagat Singh has previous involvement in three vehicle theft cases.
Police said further investigation is underway to identify other members of the syndicate, trace additional stolen vehicles and establish the wider network involved in their theft, transportation, documentation and disposal.
