New Delhi: Three men were arrested for allegedly luring passengers onto a private bus with the promise of cheap fares before assaulting and robbing them on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. The accused targeted unsuspecting travellers near Anand Vihar Railway Station and ISBT, posing as private bus operators. The trio offered passengers a flat fare of Rs 30, irrespective of the distance. After robbing them, they abandoned their victims at isolated locations near Rajghat.The crime came to light when police got multiple tip-offs over the last few days about the gang. Acting on information, patrolling was intensified at vulnerable spots under the IP Estate police station.“On Monday, during early morning patrolling, our team noticed a suspicious private bus and alerted senior officers. A team subsequently intercepted the bus near the Rajghat red light,” said DCP (central) Nidhin Valsan.The passengers on board reportedly expressed relief after the interception and told police that they were robbed inside the moving vehicle.Three accused, identified as Yogesh (41), the driver, Arshad (46) and Premshankar alias Ajay (28), both conductors and helpers, were nabbed. Police found Rs 1,850 that had been robbed and seized the bus.Yogesh was involved in three cases in the Pataparganj Industrial Area, Budh Vihar and New Ushman Pur police stations. These cases were lodged under sections involving robbery, attempt to commit robbery, voluntarily causing hurt and wrongful restraint under the IPC, as well as sections under the Arms Act.An FIR has been registered against the three under sections 309 (robbery), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 3(5) (common intention) of the BNS.
