Accused held for snatching MP R Sudha's chain, ornament recovered

Sudha, a Congress MP from Tamil Nadu, was out on a morning walk near Tamil Nadu Bhavan on Monday when an unidentified motorcycle-borne man snatched her gold chain and tore her clothes before fleeing.

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested a 24-year-old habitual offender for allegedly snatching a 30 gm gold chain from Tamil Nadu MP R Sudha near Tamil Nadu Bhavan in Chanakyapuri.

Sudha, a Congress MP from Tamil Nadu, was on a morning walk on Monday when a motorcycle-borne man snatched her gold chain and sped away. She sustained minor injuries during the incident, police said.

The accused, identified as Sohan Rawat, was arrested early Wednesday morning after police teams tracked his movements using CCTV footage.

"Rawat has been previously involved in 26 criminal cases, mostly related to theft and snatching," said a police officer.

"In the initial probe, CCTV footage from various routes was collected and analysed thoroughly. Based on key leads, the accused was identified and apprehended during a targeted operation conducted by teams from New Delhi, Southwest, and South districts, along with AATS and the RK Puram police station," the officer said.

Rawat was released on bail on June 27 after being arrested in a vehicle theft case lodged in Ambedkar Nagar in April this year, the officer added.

Police said they have recovered the stolen gold chain and seized the scooter used in the crime. Among other recoveries were four stolen mobile phones and a stolen motorcycle.

According to police data, the New Delhi district has recorded a 48 per cent decline in snatching-related PCR calls.