In a significant breakthrough against rising incidents of theft in the metro network, the Delhi Police has arrested a habitual mobile snatcher from the premises of Kashmere Gate Metro Station and recovered three stolen mobile phones, including a high-end Apple iPhone 15, within hours of the reported incident.
The accused has been identified as Asif (34), a resident of Seelampur. Police said he was actively involved in multiple incidents of mobile phone theft and snatching across the Delhi Metro network.
According to police officials, the case came to light on February 26, 2026, when Khushi Parmar, a resident of Pandav Nagar, lodged a complaint alleging that her iPhone 15 was stolen while she was deboarding a Yellow Line train at Kashmere Gate Metro Station around 6:30 PM. She reported that an unidentified person stealthily removed the phone from her coat pocket amid the rush.
Acting promptly, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Sanjeev Kumar launched a surveillance and search operation in and around the metro station. Based on suspicious movements and local intelligence inputs, police intercepted a suspect near the station premises. During preliminary inquiry, the complainant identified the accused as the individual who had been in close proximity to her at the time of the theft.
A subsequent search led to the recovery of three stolen mobile phones from the accused. One of the recovered devices was confirmed to be the complainant’s iPhone 15, while the other two phones were found to have been stolen earlier from Chandni Chowk Metro Station and Shastri Park Metro Station.
During sustained interrogation, Asif confessed to his involvement in multiple theft cases. Police verification further revealed that he is also wanted in two additional cases registered at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station Metro Police Station, indicating his active role in metro-related theft incidents.
Police have registered a case under FIR No. 06/2026, invoking relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), at Kashmere Gate Metro Police Station. Further investigation is underway to identify the rightful owners of the remaining recovered phones and to ascertain whether the accused is linked to any organized snatching syndicate operating within the metro network.
Officials said the swift arrest highlights the effectiveness of surveillance and rapid response mechanisms deployed to ensure passenger safety across the Delhi Metro system.
