Audacious Thieves Steal E-Rickshaw in Varanasi’s Mahmoorganj Area

VARANASI — In a shocking testament to the growing audacity of vehicle lifters, an e-rickshaw—locally referred to as a "Toto"—was stolen from the bustling Mahmoorganj area in a stealth operation lasting just 80 seconds. The entire crime, executed without making a sound, was captured live on a nearby closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera. The incident has triggered widespread concern among local vehicle operators regarding the security of commercial transport vehicles in the city.

The Modus Operandi: Stolen in Under 1.5 Minutes

The digital footprint of the crime shows a chillingly efficient operation by a gang of seasoned thieves.

• Spotting the Target: The footage captures the thieves casing the Mahmoorganj street, quickly identifying an e-rickshaw parked briefly by the roadside.

• The Silent Breach: Taking advantage of a momentary absence of the driver and bypassing onlookers, one of the suspects smoothly approached the vehicle.

• Swift Execution: Within just 1.5 minutes (exactly 80 seconds), the perpetrator managed to bypass the ignition mechanism, start the vehicle silently, and drive it away into the local traffic before anyone in the immediate vicinity could sense foul play.

Police Investigation Underway

Following the theft, the distressed vehicle owner approached the local police station to log a formal complaint.

Equipped with the definitive CCTV footage, the investigating team has initiated a rigorous inquiry. Officers are currently reviewing additional feeds from public and commercial security cameras along the escape route to track the vehicle's trajectory. Investigators have stated that the smooth execution suggests an organized syndicate specializing in the illegal dismantling and resale of e-rickshaw parts, and multiple teams are working to apprehend the suspects based on their facial profiles visible in the video.