Delhi Police apprehended a 40-year-old individual, Rajesh Kapoor, for his alleged involvement in a string of thefts targeting fellow passengers aboard various flights across India. Formerly known for his thievery on trains, Kapoor transitioned to airborne thefts, purportedly pilfering jewelry and other valuable items from the handbags of co-passengers during over 200 flights spanning more than 110 days within the past year alone.
According to authorities, Kapoor's criminal activities date back to 2005, indicating a long history of illicit behavior. Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI), Usha Rangnani, announced Kapoor's arrest during a press briefing, revealing that he was apprehended in Paharganj, where he allegedly concealed the stolen jewellery. Additionally, another individual, Sharad Jain, was detained for allegedly being the recipient of the stolen goods.
The crackdown on Kapoor ensued following two separate reports of theft aboard flights over the past three months. In response, a specialized task force was assembled by IGI Airport authorities to apprehend the perpetrator. Through meticulous analysis of CCTV footage from Delhi and Amritsar airports, coupled with scrutiny of flight records, authorities identified Kapoor as a suspect due to his presence on both flights where thefts occurred.
Despite Kapoor's attempts to evade detection by providing false information during booking, including a fake phone number, law enforcement successfully traced his original contact details through technical surveillance, leading to his arrest. Upon interrogation, Kapoor confessed to his involvement in five theft cases, attributing his actions to his addiction to online and offline gambling.
According to a police official, Kapoor strategically targeted vulnerable passengers, particularly elderly women traveling internationally, exploiting their likelihood to carry valuables in handbags. He strategically selected premium domestic flights, notably Air India and Vistara, bound for destinations like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Hyderabad, capitalizing on the chaos of boarding to discreetly pilfer valuables from overhead compartments while passengers settled into their seats.
To further evade detection, Kapoor employed the deceptive tactic of booking flights under his deceased brother's name, thwarting airline and law enforcement attempts to identify him.
