A Delhi man has been arrested for allegedly stealing valuables from co-passengers on flights across India over the past year. Identified as Rajesh Kapoor, the 40-year-old is accused of taking advantage of unsuspecting passengers on at least 200 flights, traveling for more than 110 days.
The Delhi man reportedly targeted premium domestic flights, primarily focusing on older women passengers and their handbags. He even used his deceased brother’s identity to book flights in an attempt to evade detection.
The arrest comes after two separate theft complaints were filed in the last three months. A passenger flying from Hyderabad to Delhi reported missing jewelry worth ₹7 lakh, while another passenger on the Amritsar-Delhi route lost valuables valued at ₹20 lakh. These incidents prompted Delhi Police to form a special team at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) to investigate the thefts.
The Delhi man, Rajesh Kapoor allegedly targeted fellow passengers, stealing their jewelry and valuables during domestic flights.
Key Details of Delhi Man
- Modus Operandi: Kapoor used his deceased brother’s identity to evade detection. He primarily targeted premium domestic flights.
- Arrest: The Delhi Police apprehended Kapoor after analyzing CCTV footage and flight manifests.
- Stolen Items: Passengers reported losses of jewelry worth ₹7 lakh and ₹20 lakh on separate flights.
- Accomplice: Kapoor planned to sell the stolen items to another individual, Sharad Jain, who was also arrested.
- Confession: Kapoor admitted to being involved in five such cases, including one in Hyderabad.
- Spending Habits: Most of the stolen cash went toward online and offline gambling.
The police believe Kapoor specifically targeted vulnerable passengers, particularly older women traveling internationally. His preferred airlines included Air India and Vistara, with destinations like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Hyderabad12. The investigation also revealed that Kapoor allegedly kept the stolen valuables in Paharganj, Delhi. Recovering the stolen items and identifying other potential victims will be a focus of the ongoing investigation.
