Four women were arrested on Thursday evening for pickpocketing inside the Delhi Metro after being caught targeting passengers. The incident came to light when a commuter, Rajender Chauhan, caught one of the women trying to steal from his bag while traveling on the Pink Line. Chauhan raised an alarm, and with the help of fellow passengers, managed to stop the women from escaping as the train reached Nizamuddin Sarai Kale Khan station.
According to police, the main accused is a 40-year-old woman named Laxmi, who already has 13 theft cases registered against her in different police stations across Delhi. She was arrested along with three accomplices — Sanjana, 22, Sandhya, 20, and Jahnvi, 22. All four live in Kathputli Colony in Shadipur, an area known for its street performers and artists. During the operation, the police recovered around Rs 2,000 in stolen cash. While Laxmi was taken into custody, her three associates were released on bond.
Investigations revealed that the group operated in crowded metro coaches, especially during rush hours. Their method involved identifying distracted passengers, using the rush to their advantage, and quickly leaving at the next station after stealing cash or jewelry. Laxmi, who works as a laborer, has a long criminal background, and police are currently verifying the past records of her associates.
The women have been booked under multiple sections, including Section 303(2) for theft, Section 317(2) for dealing in stolen property, Section 112 for petty organized crime, and Section 3(5) for common intent. The case has been registered at the Nehru Place Metro police station.
With over 2.7 million people using the Delhi Metro daily, police noted that such incidents highlight the growing challenge of thefts on public transport. Authorities have urged commuters to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately. The arrests, officials said, underscore the importance of public awareness and cooperation in preventing crime on the metro network.