Lucknow: The Wazirganj Police Station police team arrested two alleged criminals involved in purse snatching and pickpocketing incidents in the city. Police recovered two mobile phones and four razor blades from their possession.
According to police officials, a complaint was lodged on April 18, 2026, by Azra Maqsood, a resident of Victoria Street under Chowk police station area, alleging that unidentified motorcycle-borne miscreants had snatched her purse.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Wazirganj Police Station. Acting swiftly, the police identified the accused and arrested them on May 23, 2026, near the Teacher Training Centre opposite City Station.
The arrested accused were identified as Anil Nat, 30, a resident of Farrukhabad district, and Vinod Nat, 38, also a resident of Farrukhabad district.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed that about a month ago they had snatched the purse of a woman travelling in an e-rickshaw near Shiksha Bhavan in the Bada Chhata area late at night. Police said the woman was travelling towards the Medical Chauraha area when the accused targeted her and fled with the purse. The recovered mobile phone was reportedly part of the stolen belongings.
The accused further admitted that they were involved in snatching valuables from moving e-rickshaws and pickpocketing passengers during transit. Police also recovered four half-cut Gillette blades allegedly used during theft operations.
Investigators revealed that both accused have previous criminal records. Anil Nat has multiple cases registered against him, including offences under the Gangsters Act, cheating, robbery, theft, and the Arms Act in districts such as Bulandshahr, Kannauj, and Farrukhabad.
Similarly, Vinod Nat has criminal cases registered in Hardoi district related to theft and other offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police said further legal proceedings are underway in the case.
The arrest operation was carried out by a team led by Rajesh Kumar Tripathi along with Sub-Inspectors Anshuman Kumar and Aniket Chauhan, and Constables Sanjeet Yadav and Rajendra Prasad Tiwari.
