National level power lifter held in robbery case

A 21-year-old national level power lifter has been arrested in connection with a daylight robbery he had committed along with his associate last month, police said on Tuesday. A third year BSc student, Sumeet Pal, a resident of Sonepat in Haryana, was arrested from Pitampura in North-west Delhi on Monday.

“Sumeet along with his friend Naveen attacked two people riding on a motorcycle in Maurya Enclave on February 29 and robbed Rs 4 lakh being carried by them. The accused assaulted the victims with bricks on their head and also snatched their motorcycle,” said Vijay Singh, DCP (North-West). 

“They later abandoned the motorcycle at a secluded place and fled with the money,” added the official. The officer said Sumeet initially started taking part in power lifting.

“He has participated in state and national level power lifting competitions. In 2012-13, he took part in a state level competition and won gold medal. In 2013, he participated in a national level competition in Bengaluru and Udaipur.”

The officer further said that Sumeet later started driving a taxi when he failed to get any good job.

“Meanwhile, he came to Delhi and befriended two women. To impress them, he took the extreme step and committed the robbery,” the officer said. 

In another incident, a Delhi Jal Board employee’s 30-year-old son has been arrested for stealing vehicles, police said on Tuesday.

Surjeet Singh, a resident of Jasola II, was arrested on Monday.

“Surjeet’s father is a government employee and works in Delhi Jal Board. He is a Class 4 dropout. He learnt auto repair and worked as a mechanic for around 10 years. Meanwhile, he got addicted to drugs.

“To meet his expenses, he started stealing articles from the neighbourhood. He used to inject a narcotic which helped him overcome fear,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Ravindra Yadav. 

Surjeet was arrested and also convicted earlier too.

“After coming out of jail, he met an auto thief Shahid and asked him to buy stolen vehicles from him. He then started supplying him stolen bikes.”

Police have recovered five stolen vehicles from his possession.