The Delhi Police Crime Branch has solved a high-profile theft case involving nearly Rs 1 crore, allegedly stolen by the notorious ‘Thak-Thak’ gang from a parked car in Karol Bagh. The investigation led to the arrest of interstate thief T. Sarath Kumar alias Sarat Kumar (31) from Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, and recovery of jewellery worth approximately Rs 35 lakh.
Sarath Kumar is a habitual offender and a proclaimed criminal in four theft cases registered at Kamla Market, Connaught Place, and Lahori Gate police stations.
The incident occurred on November 14, 2025, when complainant Shubham Kotawala, a jewellery manufacturer, had collected 62 pieces of diamond and old jewellery from the International Gemological Institute (IGI) lab in Karol Bagh. He placed the bag containing the valuables in his car parked near Durga Park and stepped away briefly for urgent work. On his return, he discovered the right-side window broken and the bag missing.
An FIR was promptly registered at Karol Bagh police station under Section 305 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Given the high value of the stolen property, a special team led by Inspector Amit Kumar Solanki was formed under ACP Pankaj Arora and DCP (Crime) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav. The team reviewed footage from nearly 100 CCTV cameras in and around the crime scene and along escape routes and questioned several known criminals with similar modus operandi.
Investigations pointed to a Trichy-based gang notorious for targeting parked vehicles near jewellery markets by breaking windows. Using technical surveillance, police traced Sarath Kumar to the Nizamuddin area and arrested him on December 15 near Nizamuddin Railway Station.
During interrogation, Sarath Kumar admitted that gang members frequently travel from Tamil Nadu to Delhi and other wealthy states to commit such thefts. Police recovered jewellery worth about Rs 35 lakh from his possession.
Further investigation is underway to trace other gang members and recover the remaining stolen property, officials said.
