Residents and shopkeepers in Batla House market have been warned to stay alert after two recent theft incidents. Team Market Welfare Association Okhla reported that women thieves have been targeting shoppers in this busy market, which sees hundreds of thousands of visitors every day. There are growing concerns that if such thefts continue and women thieves active, the market’s reputation could suffer, and shopkeepers could face business losses.
ALSO READ: Why you should avoid these roads in Jamia Nagar today from…
Efforts are being made to tackle the problem arising from women thieves. Waseem Khan, a senior member of the Batla House Market Association, said: “We are constantly monitoring the market, and CCTVs have been installed to catch the thieves, including women thieves. The challenge is that most of the culprits are women, often part of active women thieves’ gangs. Some even wear hijabs, making it difficult for people to intervene, and unfortunately, they take advantage of this.”
A local businessman, known for his dedication to the welfare of Batla House market, described women thief gangs as a serious menace. He noted that while their activity usually peaks during Ramazan, they have also been observed operating in quieter market months, which is a growing cause for concern.
Theft at Prasad Complex
In the first case which took place a few days ago, a woman allegedly stole ₹3,500 in cash from a customer’s bag while shopping at Prasad Complex, Batla House. The theft was caught on a CCTV camera, which led to the quick identification and apprehension of the accused woman, said Waseem. He also shared a short clip on his social media showing the woman covering her face after being caught, apparently to hide her identity. According to shopkeepers, most of the time, caught thieves are handed over to the police. In this particular case, however, the OT could not confirm what exactly happened, as it is often difficult to catch these thieves red-handed and identify them on the spot.
Women thieves: Purse snatched with gold and cash
In another incident the same day, a purse was stolen from a woman’s bag in Batla House market. The purse reportedly contained a gold ring, a nose ring, and some cash.
Public appeal and advisory
Team MWA has appealed to shopkeepers and residents to stay vigilant and not let such thieves escape unchecked. “We request all shopkeepers to be cautious and ensure such individuals are held accountable when caught,” said a representative of the team.
Residents are advised to:
- Keep their belongings secure while shopping.
- Be extra alert in crowded market areas.
- Report any suspicious activity immediately to local authorities or market associations.
These incidents highlight the growing concern over petty theft in the area, prompting calls for increased security measures and better surveillance in crowded commercial hubs of Okhla.
