ZIRAKPUR, 31 January 2025: Two separate snatching incidents occurred within an hour on Wednesday night, leaving a pedestrian and a food delivery partner robbed of their belongings in Zirakpur and Dhakoli, about 7 km apart.
Snatchers continue to operate fearlessly in the region despite permanent night patrolling by Mohali police.
Vishal Kumar, a superintendent at a transport company in City Enclave, was walking home around midnight when he was confronted by six men on two motorcycles near Shiva Enclave, Pabhat, Zirakpur.
“They had three wood cutters with them. One placed it on my neck while the others started beating me and took my mobile phone from my pocket. They also snatched my tablet from my bag,” Kumar said, adding that the assailants had their faces covered.
The gang fled when a speeding car approached. “The driver even tried to chase them, but they managed to escape. If he hadn’t arrived, they could have caused serious harm,” Kumar added. He rushed home to alert his brother, and they searched for the culprits but found no trace of them.
Zirakpur police are reviewing CCTV footage and have booked the accused under Section 304 (snatching) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Food Delivery Worker Robbed in Dhakoli
A similar incident took place near DPS Chowk in Dhakoli around 1:02 am, where six unidentified men on two bikes attacked Deepak Kumar, a food delivery partner from Manimajra’s Indira Colony.
Kumar was returning after a delivery at Radha Enclave when the gang stopped him, assaulted him, and fled with his mobile phone and Hero Splendor bike. “They were covered in blankets and even hit my bike with a weapon,” he told police.
According to investigators, CCTV footage showed the snatchers splitting into two groups and heading toward Gazipur, Dera Bassi, and eventually Dappar Toll Plaza.
Dhakoli police have booked the suspects under Sections 304(2) (snatching), 190 (unlawful assembly), and 191(3) (rioting) of the BNS. “We are still investigating whether the same gang was involved in both incidents,” a senior officer said.
Phone Snatcher Arrested in Phase 5
In a separate case, Phase 1 police arrested Satnam Singh, alias Kuku, of Kharar for allegedly snatching a mobile phone in Phase 5.
The victim, Hansika, a software developer, was walking outside her PG accommodation when Singh allegedly grabbed her phone.
Police apprehended him near Mango Park and recovered the stolen phone along with a bike.
