Auto-lifters gang busted, 1 held

Police today claimed to have busted a notorious Meerut-based auto-lifters gang arresting its leader Ishtiaq, who allegedly sold stolen cars online with the help of a popular e-commerce website.
Ishtiaq moved in a car using an original number plate which was zeroed in on by the cops through extensive questioning of scores of auto-lifters and security guards of residential colonies as well as through analysis of CCTV footage.
An information led police to the car which was found parked in Dilshad Garden area on June 2. Two days later, cops watched as three men came in and drove away despite being stopped.

After a short chase, police arrested Ishtiaq while his accomplices managed to flee, said Vijay Singh, DCP (north west).
During interrogation, Ishtiaq admitted to stealing about 125 cars particularly in north-west Delhi as he was well informed of the area, he said.
Interrogation also provided lead about an SUV stolen from Shalimar Bagh area. The owner of the vehicle told police that it was put on the e-commerce website, said the officer.
The gang used to sell the stolen cars to a receiver in Varanasi, identified as Zaved Ali who would further sell the stolen car with forged papers on the e-commerce website, he said.

Further input provided by the duo led to arrest of another receiver of the stolen vehicle, Israr Mulla from Meerut, who was the other leader of the Ishtiaq-Israr gang, added the officer.