Cops catch 6 dacoits, give credit to CCTV system inspired by Surat

The CCTV camera surveillance network based on ‘Safe City Surat’ has helped reconstruct a case of dacoity and nab six members of a Mumbai-based gang, police said on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated Safe City Surat in January 2013 when he was the chief minister of Gujarat saying it will show path to the nation in establishing reliable vigilance network for crime detection.

Based on the network, Business Area Watch Scheme was inaugurated in the capital by Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung in August.

With the help of the network, police have arrested six members of Badshah Gang of Jogeshwari East in Mumbai.

A probe was initiated after jeweler Manoj Jain reported that his bag containing cash and jewellery was snatched by a group of unknown men. He had overpowered one of the accused, and a case was filed with Kotwali police station on November 7.
The bag contained Rs 4.75 lakh in cash and gold and diamond jewellery worth Rs 18 lakh.

“The CCTV network in Dariba Kalan proved to be a boon in the investigation in identifying the accused persons and understanding their modus operandi,” said Bhim Sain Bassi, Delhi Police Commissioner.

On interrogation, accused Mohammed Ahmed kept misleading police saying he had gone to Chandni Chowk market for shopping. However, CCTV footage revealed that he was involved in the crime.

“Ahmed then disclosed that he along with seven accomplices came to Delhi and stayed at Azad Guest House in Jama Masjid area with the intention to commit crimes,” added Madhur Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North).

On November 7, the gang saw Manoj carrying a bag in Dariba Kalan and followed him.
“The accused was arrested due to clinching evidence from CCTV cameras. He disclosed that he along with his accomplices have committed similar crimes in Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi,” Verma said.

Ahmed also told police that his accomplices would be going to Mumbai by train. With the help of CCTV footage, two members of the gang Shamim Jafri and Raju were identified while they were travelling on Paschim Express, and were nabbed in Surat. Police recovered Rs 2 lakh from their possession. “Shamim operated the gang along with his father Nashim Jafri,” Verma added. Police also arrested Nashim, Mahesh Kumar Gupta and Salim.

Apart from Dariba Kalan, Greater Kailash in south-east Delhi was identified as pilot areas where the CCTV network has been replicated by Delhi Police. A three-member team of Delhi Police -- Special Commissioner of Police (Operations) Sundari Nanda, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Communication) Naved Mumtaz and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operation) Satyawan Gautam – had visited Surat in June to study the public-private partnership initiative.