Polite new crime gang in Delhi smiles at you, says ‘Namaste’, then robs you

NEW DELHI — Four members of a gang that allegedly robbed motorists after waylaying them by waving and greeting them, were arrested from west Delhi after a chase, police said on Thursday.

The four alleged members of the ‘Namaste’ gang, identified as Nasimuddin, Sakawat, Guljar and Naim, were caught by a police team acting on a specific input near Ranibag underpass on Wednesday evening, DCP (West) Vijay Kumar said.

The gang used to target motorists wearing jewellery and appearing rich and follow them on scooters. They would wave, make ‘Namaste’ gesture and smile at them to make them stop their vehicles and then overpowered them and robbed on gun point, he said.

“More than 50 gun-point robberies in different parts of Delhi have been solved with their arrest,” he said.

They had tried to escape by firing on the policemen but were chased and arrested, Singh said.

Three firearms, two used and three live cartridges, and one button-operated knife was recovered from their possession.

Naim has no previous criminal involvement while other three have criminal cases against them. Efforts are on to nab their remaining associates, the officer added.