2 in 2 days: Snatchers target delivery execs in Bhowanipore
Times of India | 14 May 2025
Kolkata: Two cases of snatching, each targeting a delivery agent or an app-bike rider, were reported from the Bhowanipore area in the early morning hours last weekend. In both incidents, scooterettes were used to block the victim's path before the accused snatched costly mobile phones and cash.In both instances, the accused, numbering two to three, looked very young and carried beer bottles with them.The first victim, Gautam Kumar Gupta, 22, an app-biker, was targeted around 3:15 am near Sambhunath Pandit Hospital on Saturday. According to his police complaint, two young men on a scooterette approached him from the Elgin Road side while he was counting his day's earnings. "The pillion rider quickly snatched approximately Rs 2,000 from me before speeding towards Harish Mukherjee Road-SP Mukherjee Road. One of them was holding a beer bottle, and their vehicle's registration number ended with 2194," Gupta wrote in his complaint.In a similar incident early Sunday morning, around 12:16 am, Zomato delivery agent Rajiv Ranjan Kumar, 36, fell victim to another snatching on Sarat Bose Road. Three individuals on a scooterette cornered him near 48, Sarat Bose Road. The perpetrators snatched his costly mobile phone from its holder before fleeing the scene."I had picked up an order from a popular confectionary chain for a delivery in the Ballygunge area. When I reached in front of the Sarat Bose Road address around 12:16 am, three persons riding a scooterette cornered me and then looted me," he stated in his complaint to Bhowanipore Police."We are examining CCTV footage from the areas and have formed special teams to track down the suspects. We have some strong leads, and detentions have begun," said a senior police officer from the south division. "Both the victims have confirmed that they can identify the perpetrators if brought before them," said an officer.The incidents have sparked concern among delivery personnel and app-based service providers in the area. The app delivery agents have urged local authorities to increase police patrolling during late hours. "These incidents highlight the risks faced by delivery personnel and app-based service providers who work during odd hours," said Amit Roy, one rider.