Lucknow: In a major breakthrough, the joint team of the Surveillance/Crime Branch (DCP North) and Jankipuram Police Station successfully cracked several snatching cases reported recently from different parts of the city. The operation led to the arrest of a notorious chain-snatcher and the rescue of a minor involved in the crimes.
On April 24, 2025, three separate complainants — Mrs. Reena Saini, Mrs. Mridula Agarwal, and Mrs. Shipra Rai — reported snatching incidents at different times within the jurisdiction of Jankipuram Police Station, Lucknow. Two unidentified bike-borne assailants allegedly snatched earrings and chains from the victims. Based on their complaints, FIR 065/2025 under Section 309(6) of the BNS was lodged based on Mrs. Reena Saini’s complaint, FIR 066/2025 under Section 309(6) of the BNS was lodged based on Mrs. Shipra Rai’s complaint, and FIR 067/2025 under Section 309(6) of the BNS was lodged based on Mrs. Mridula Agarwal’s complaint. Investigations for these cases were assigned to Sub-Inspector Hemendra Singh and Sub-Inspector Chandrabhan Giri, respectively.
Following directives from senior officials for speedy resolution, a combined team of DCP North’s Surveillance/Crime Squad and Jankipuram Police intensified their efforts. Acting on a tip-off from an informer, the team conducted a raid early morning around 5:00 AM on April 25, 2025, near Salim Tiraaha and arrested Kallu alias Raju (23 years old), son of Ramkumar alias Munna Painter, originally from Krishna Vihar Colony, Indiranagar, Lucknow. His current residence was identified near Shahpur Bhamrauli, Dubagga, Lucknow. Additionally, a 16-year-old minor associated with him was taken into police protection under the supervision of a Child Welfare Officer.
From their possession and disclosures, the police recovered ₹1,500 cash related to the loot in Case 065/2025, a broken gold chain related to Case 066/2025, and a gold earring linked to Case 067/2025. A motorcycle used in the crimes, bearing a forged number plate, was also seized. Following these recoveries, additional sections 317(2)/338/336(3)/340(2) BNS were added to the FIRs.
During interrogation, the accused also confessed to a snatching incident committed around ten days ago within the Dubagga police station limits. On verification, an FIR (165/2025, Section 304 BNS) was found registered at Dubagga Police Station. ₹1,600 cash from the proceeds of that incident was also recovered. The accused has been formally arrested under relevant sections of BNS and presented before the court, while the minor has been handed over to the Child Welfare Committee for further action.
The arrested individual, Kallu alias Raju, is a repeat offender with multiple prior cases against him, including burglary, snatching, and possession of illegal arms. He has been previously booked under various IPC sections and the Arms Act across police stations like Indiranagar, Dubagga, Madiyav, and Chinhat. Some notable cases include 201/2020, 215/2020, 312/2024, 252/2020, 273/2020, 029/2023, 514/2023, 090/2024, 094/2024, and 167/2024, among others. His involvement in a series of crimes underscores his habitual criminal behavior.
The police teams involved in the successful operation included members of the Crime/Surveillance Team (DCP North) — Sub-Inspector Vishwanath Pratap Singh (Incharge Surveillance/Crime North), Head Constable Nadeem, Head Constable Awadhesh Giri, Head Constable Santosh Kumar, Head Constable Amit Kumar Gautam, Constable Vishesh Duhan, and Constable Raghvendra Pratap Singh. The Jankipuram Police Station team comprised Inspector Jitendra Kumar Verma, Sub-Inspectors Hemendra Singh, Chandrabhan Giri, Manish Kumar Chauhan, Mukul Anand, Abhishek Singh, and Head Constable Ajit Kumar Verma.
