delhi

Updated: Jun 20, 2016 09:39 IST

A 26-year-old visually impaired student of Delhi University (DU) caught a bike-borne snatcher near GTB Metro station in north Delhi on Friday night even after he was repeatedly punched in the face.

The snatcher, along with his two accomplices, snatched the student’s Moto G Plus mobile phone as he was going to an ATM booth from DU’s Mansarowar Hostel.

The DU student, Shakir Hussain, overpowered the snatcher and wrestled with him for a good two minutes. After the snatcher got away, he chased him for around 200m before getting hold of him again with the help of locals. However, he could not stop the other two snatchers fleeing with his mobile phone, purchased only a month ago.

Nonetheless, Hussain’s valiant efforts helped the Delhi Police bust a gang of bike-borne snatchers that was involved in similar crimes in the locality. They arrested one of the gang members, identified as Vijay Gupta, 22.

Hussain’s courage has impressed senior police officers. They have planned to honour and reward him at a public meeting.

Recalling the incident, Hussain said the crime took place around 11.15pm as he was walking towards the ATM booth.

“Three men on a bike approached me. They said they were acquaintances. Suddenly, they snatched my phone. Since my earphones were attached to it, I could stop them from fleeing with my phone,” said Hussain, who is enrolled in M.Phil (History).

When the three attempted to speed off, the DU student grabbed the pillion rider by his shoulder and threw the bike off balance. While Hussain overpowered the accused, his accomplices fled with his mobile phone on the bike.

“When they tried to snatch my phone, it took me a while to understand what was happening. The snatcher I overpowered hit me repeatedly on my nose, shoulder and head. But I did not lose my grip,” said Hussain.

Some bystanders saw Hussain being attacked and screaming for help but nobody came forward. When the snatcher failed to release himself, he started to scream and accuse Hussain of robbing him of his phone.

In the meantime, a youth reached there and told Hussain’s attention by asking him to calm down and call the police to settle the issue. As Hussain lost his grip, the suspect began running away. Hussain chased him and caught him with the help of locals, who thrashed him.

“I asked a local youth to call the police control room. A police team arrived and took me and the snatcher to the police station where he identified himself as Vijay Gupta.

“The police wouldn’t have believed me if I hadn’t caught the snatcher,” said Hussain, who was treated at a nearby hospital before he returned to the hostel.

Vijay Singh, DCP (northwest), said, “We registered a case and arrested Gupta. Efforts are on to nab his absconding accomplices, Manoj and Ravi. I am recommending a suitable reward for Hussain for his heroism.”