MUMBAI: Delhi Police have arrested a 28-year-old two-time National Games taekwondo champion who previously appeared on the reality TV show Indian Idol for allegedly being in robbery and snatching.

According to the police officials, Suraj Bahadur was allegedly apprehended with almost 2.5 kilogrammes of gold, 55 stolen phones, five stolen automobiles, and a country-made weapon and is booked for more than 100 cases of snatching and armed robbery.

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Suraj was seen on a scooter by a police patrolling team in Moti Nagar last week, and his behaviour was deemed suspicious. When the cops pulled him up, they discovered that the scooter had been stolen recently. Police discovered a weapon during their investigation and arrested him.

DCP (West) Urvija Goel admitted to being involved in 100 cases of snatching in different regions of Delhi. 

Suraj told investigators that he lived in Uttam Nagar and that he was arrested in similar incidents in 2014, 2017, and 2019, but that he was released on bond each time and returned to his life of crime.

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The officer said, “He and his gang members have been caught several times but after getting bail, he again joins a local gang and starts committing crimes. He had also procured a pistol and was using it to threaten people to steal expensive items.”

The officer also stated that Suraj informed them that he left sports and singing as he couldn’t earn much and decided to commit crimes. 

Suraj has a diploma in computer engineering and is a graduate of Delhi University.  He was also a finalist on Indian Idol in 2008, finishing in the top 50 competitors.

CREDIT: Indian Express