Dharamlal Kaushik was targeted in a mobile phone snatching incident in the Indian city of Raipur on Monday morning, but police say the suspect was arrested within just eight hours of the crime.
According to officials from the Raipur Police Commissionerate, the incident occurred around 7:15 a.m. on May 18, 2026, while Kaushik was out for his routine morning walk near the PWD Arch Bridge area in Raipur. Investigators said an unidentified man riding a motorcycle suddenly approached the former senior politician, snatched his mobile phone, and sped away from the scene.
The high-profile robbery immediately triggered a large-scale police response. Senior officers, along with teams from the city’s Crime Branch and multiple police stations, launched a coordinated investigation to track down the suspect.
Police reportedly reviewed hundreds of CCTV camera recordings collected from the crime scene and nearby roads. Authorities also used technical surveillance methods and human intelligence networks to identify the accused and trace his movements across the city.
By late afternoon, officers detained a 19-year-old suspect identified as Manikant Dhruv. Police said Dhruv is originally from the Baloda Bazar-Bhatapara district and had been living in Rajiv Nagar under the jurisdiction of Khamhardih police station in Raipur. Investigators added that the accused occasionally worked as a rider for the bike taxi service Rapido.
Authorities confirmed that both the stolen mobile phone and the motorcycle allegedly used in the crime were recovered during the operation.
Dr. Sanjeev Shukla praised the swift action taken by law enforcement officers and stated that the police department treats every complaint with equal seriousness, regardless of whether the victim is an ordinary citizen or a high-profile public figure.
He emphasized that rapid identification of criminals, timely arrests, and recovery of stolen property remain among the top priorities of the Raipur Police Commissionerate. Officials also assured residents that strict action against street crimes and repeat offenders would continue in the future.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion in Chhattisgarh about urban safety and the growing concern over snatching crimes in busy public areas, even involving prominent political figures.
