Delhi Police have arrested a 50-year-old woman who allegedly cheated an 80-year-old resident of Chandni Mahal by swapping her gold earring with a fake one. The arrest came after officers tracked the suspect across several lanes of Old Delhi through her gait and eyes, which were visible in CCTV footage.
The case was registered on October 30 after the complainant called the police to report the theft. She said an unknown woman had visited her house on October 27. The visitor claimed to know the complainant’s late daughter, spoke warmly, and gained her trust before leaving. The visitor also promised to return the next day.
On October 28, the woman returned. She kept the conversation friendly. She then informed the complainant that one of her earrings had become loose. She asked to take a look. The complainant agreed. The suspect used the moment to replace the gold earring with an artificial one of the same size and design. She then left quietly. “This was a sensitive case. The victim was elderly and had poor eyesight. The team used every tool available and showed strong commitment,” Central District DCP Nidhin Valsan said. Police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and began work. Officers said the complainant has low vision due to an eye ailment, which made the crime easier for the accused.
A special team was formed at the Chandni Mahal police station. The team started with manual checks. They spoke to locals and shopkeepers and moved through crowded stretches of Kala Mahal, Matia Mahal, and nearby lanes. Many people were reluctant to share information. Officers said they still stayed on the ground for long hours. Technical surveillance was the next step. The team scanned CCTV feeds from many cameras. Much of the footage was unclear. The suspect kept her hijab on, and only parts of her face were visible. But investigators found one pattern. Her gait stood out. Her eyes and a sliver of her forehead also matched the complainant’s description.
Police compared clips from multiple spots and followed the movement across lanes and junctions. Each clip gave a small clue. The team pieced these clues together and narrowed the search to Kala Mahal. Local inquiries there helped them confirm one identity.
On November 15, the team picked up the accused lady, a resident of the same area. She was taken for questioning. Officers said she first tried to mislead them but later confessed. She said she did it for money. She also said she had noticed the gold earrings during her first visit. She then bought an artificial pair and returned the next day to cheat the elderly woman.
Police said the woman acted alone. She did not have a past criminal record in the area. The search for the stolen gold earring is still on. Officers believe she may have sold it soon after taking it.
Residents said they were worried by the method used. Many elderly citizens live alone in the old quarters of the district. Police said the case shows how criminals exploit trust and vulnerability. For now, police said the quick work was possible because of careful observation. It was a mix of patient viewings of CCTV clips and ground-level effort. The team hopes to recover the earring soon as the investigation continues.
