Two Sholey-inspired auto-rickshaw thieves held

Two auto-rickshaw thieves, who drew "inspiration" from two protogonists in iconic Bollywood movie 'Sholay' and called themselves 'Jai' and 'Veeru', have been arrested, police said on Tuesday.

And while the movie's main female lead 'Basanti' drove a gig pulled by a mare 'Dhanno', the two called their auto-rickshaws 'Dhanno'.

Police recovered 13 auto-rickshaws and a scooty stolen from old Gurugram and Faridabad areas from their posession, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Chinmoy Biswal said.

Jamshed Alam, 18, and Mohammad Irshad, 21, stole auto-rickshaws and then rented them out in areas of south Delhi. Residents of Sangam Vihar and Khanpur areas, they worked as drivers.

Alam and Irshad were arrested on Sunday from Khanpur on a tip-off while they were riding the stolen Scooty.

Alam and Irshad told police they were involved in theft of many vehicles in Delhi and adjoining areas.

"They entered the world of crime after watching 'Sholay' and getting inspired by the leading male characters," Biswal said.

They initially plied auto-rickshaws for their livelihood, but later planned to steal auto-rickshaws from Gurugram and Faridabad areas and rented these vehicles out for earning quick money, he added.

--IANS

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