CCTV footage, face recognition tech: How Delhi cops nabbed two men who stole Rs 80 lakh from trader

The man, who has been identified as Mohd. Ali, followed Ajmal, who was on foot, discreetly on a two-wheeler to the main Chandni Chowk road, and then allegedly called up his accomplice Samir to help him identify their target.

Ajmal was close to his home when Samir intercepted him, took out a semi-automatic pistol, and fired at the ground to scare him. He allegedly robbed the cash and fled, said police.

As police were approached and a case was filed, three teams, including one from the Special Staff led by Inspector Rohil Saraswat, were formed to track the robbers.

CCTV footage revealed that the alleged assailant had fled from the spot towards the main Chandni Chowk road and then boarded an auto. “The accused was seen boarding an auto near Fatehpuri Masjid, which then turned towards Lahori Gate. From CCTV footage, the auto’s registration number was identified, and the auto driver was questioned,” DCP (North) Raja Banthia said.

Samir had boarded the auto at 7.50 pm, 10 minutes after robbing Ajmal, but he soon deboarded the vehicle, the auto driver told the police.

As police analysed footage from around 500 CCTV cameras, they identified Ali in the clips — as he followed Ajmal — through a facial recognition system.

Earlier involved in a similar robbery case in 2023, he was aware of the movement of money in the area, said officials. “Two days before robbing the trader, he was contacted by Samir, and both of them surveyed Kucha Ghasi Ram and the nearby kuchas and galis and conducted a reconnaissance,” DCP Banthia said.

Banthia added, “After committing the offence on Monday, both the accused met in Daryaganj and decided to share the stolen money later, as news of the incident spread, along with related CCTV footage.”

However, in the early hours of Wednesday, Ali was arrested from Katra Chelan. He admitted to Samir’s involvement in the crime, said police. Samir was subsequently arrested from Daryaganj.  The robbed amount was recovered in full, police said.