New Delhi: Samaypur Badli Police have busted an alleged interstate gang involved in stealing lithium batteries from electric scooters, recovering 20 stolen batteries and claiming to have solved 14 theft cases. Two suspects have been arrested, while three other individuals, along with the two arrested accused, were reportedly bound down as part of the legal proceedings.
Police said the suspected network operated across Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, transporting stolen batteries out of the capital to avoid detection.
CCTV Footage Helps Police Identify Suspects
Outer North District DCP Shobhit D. Saxena said the investigation began after Shyam Babanu Kumar, a resident of Raja Vihar, reported that the battery of his electric scooter had been stolen on September 30, 2026. An e-FIR was registered in connection with the complaint.
In view of repeated battery thefts, a special team was formed under the leadership of Samaypur Badli SHO Shailendra Singh Jakhar. The team included ASI Neeraj Rana, Head Constables Pradeep and Sunil, and Constables Rahul and Ankit.
Investigators examined footage from approximately 50–60 CCTV cameras and used technical analysis and local intelligence to identify a suspect. The police subsequently apprehended 19-year-old Lakshya Singh, alias Lucky.
Further questioning led investigators to Hathras district in Uttar Pradesh, where 24-year-old Vikas was arrested.
How Were the Stolen Batteries Transported?
According to the police investigation, the gang allegedly removed GPS devices from stolen batteries and transported them to Uttar Pradesh by bus to make them harder to trace.
Police said seven batteries were recovered at Vikas’s instance. During a subsequent operation, another 13 batteries were found in a warehouse in Mandoli, taking the total recovery to 20.
The police also seized a scooter allegedly used in the thefts and a bag containing tools suspected to have been used during the crimes.
Five Other Individuals Named in the Investigation
Police identified Prashant Jha, alias Brahman; Aryan Wadhwa, alias Rony; Pankaj, alias Devanand; Deepak; and Jatin as individuals who were bound down in connection with the case, in addition to the two arrested suspects.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Joint Commissioner of Police, Northern Range, Vijay Singh; Additional DCP-I of Outer North District, Lokeshwaran R.; and ACP Samaypur Badli, Firoz Alam.
Police are continuing their investigation to identify other possible links in the alleged network, trace the disposal of stolen property and examine the financial transactions connected with the operation.
