Wedding function theft racket busted

A married couple who used to allegedly get children to commit robberies at wedding parties have been arrested with cash and jewellery worth several lakhs of rupees recovered from them, police said today.
S Kumar (35), a resident of Rajgarh in Madhya Pradesh was involved in the racket along with his wife Sangeeta (31), police said. The duo, which was behind several thefts at marriage functions in Delhi-NCR, was arrested by the Special Staff of South Delhi police.
"Stolen jewellery worth several lakhs of rupees, including two diamond sets, one diamond ring, one gold chain and a pair of anklets has been recovered from the accused," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) BS Jaiswal, who added that the arrests had helped them crack five cases of theft.

Police said that some instances of thefts at marriage functions had allegedly involved well-dressed children who would roam around the stage and steal cash and jewellery at an appropriate opportunity.
Police then received a clue about some people from MP staying in Delhi as tenants and committing theft at marriage parties.
"Finally, in a joint operation with police from Faridabad, our team arrested Kumar from the Saket area. Later, his wife Sangeeta, too, was arrested and stolen articles recovered," Jaiswal said.

During interrogation, the couple are said to have told police that groups from Pachore Tehsil of Rajgarh district in MP used to come to Delhi to commit thefts at marriage parties.

"They used to hire a vehicle for a night and would roam around farmhouses where marriage functions are held. The parents would stay outside in the vehicle and their children, nicely-dressed, would enter the function and loiter around the stage before committing robbery.
Sometimes, the parents also would enter the function venue and steal valuables. They accused would send off the booty to their native place so that no items could be recovered from their rented accommodation here, Jaiswal added.