Mumbai: Most-wanted mobile snatcher finally nabbed

A wanted smartphone snatcher, Tausif Khan, was apprehended on Monday after one of his victims shouted for help and passers-by managed to overpower him. The accused, 24, was handed over to the Powai police.

According to the authorities, Khan is on the most-wanted list of the city as well as railway police, and at the time of his arrest, 47 mobile theft, robbery and attempt-to-murder cases had been registered against him.

The incident occurred around 9 pm when the 25-year-old victim, Anvesh Inamdar, was standing at the IIT Bombay bus stop in Powai.

As per the FIR registered under Indian Penal Code Sections 392 (robbery) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty), Khan snatched the victim's mobile phone. "Inamdar raised an alarm, and passers-by managed to tackle the accused and call the police. "When Khan was being handed over to the police, he attacked a constable and tried to escape. During the scuffle, the police officer sustained a minor injury on his hand," an officer attached to the Powai police station said.

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"Khan used to target citizens at crowded places, bus stops and railway stations," the officer added.

According to the police, around 28 cases have been registered against the accused at the Ghatkopar police station since 2008. "This is the 48th case registered against him and the second at Powai police station," the officer said.

Khan is allegedly part of a mobile theft syndicate that sells their booty to mobile dealers for a mere '2,000 to '7,000. The dealers then sell the devices to other syndicates that modify their IMEI numbers so that they can be sent to Bangladesh.

"We are probing the syndicate with which he is associated. He has been remanded in police custody for further investigation," said Budhan Sawant, senior PI, Powai police station.

Dec 19
The day Khan was arrested