New target for pick-pockets is the Delhi Metro

Real News Intl. (RNI) News Agency, New Delhi: Gone are the days when the Delhis union of pick-pockets thronged the Bus Terminals, Railway Stations, DTC buses and cinemas. The new target for the citys bunch of pick-pockets is the Delhi Metro. With the Delhi Metro running chock-a-block full almost entirely during the day, the new focus of these pick-pockets has turned towards the Metro. The manifold increase in the public traveling on the Metro makes their work easy, as the greater the public the easier it is for them to pass unnoticed. The biggest deterrent has been the token system which meant that the pick-pockets too had to spend some money from their pockets on the Metro tokens so as to make entry. But the great public that travelled was a lure that initially made them pay for the token. It is learnt from sources that as the number of cases related to pick-pockets increased in the Metro trains, several of whom were reported, the authorities had to look for ways to curb this menace. The recent ruling as per which any person making an entry into the Metro system has to get out within stipulated time was made keeping these pick-pockets in mind. This was supposed to be a big deterrent for the pick-pockets but only until they werent able to find a way out. It is learnt from reliable sources that the pick-pockets, at least some of them, are now entering the Metro system through a tacit understanding with a few staff-persons working for the Delhi Metro. The modus operandi is simple. Staff persons have been given passes that allow them to enter and exit as many times from a metro station. These staff persons only have to hand over their free passes to the pick-pockets on the other side, who makes an entry through the free pass. The same procedure is followed at the time of getting out. But there are certain complexities as well! Since all entries and exits are recorded on the computer, a staff person who enters finds a vacant exit counter to show the card to the exit machine. The exit is recorded but nobody goes out. The pass is then handed over to somebody outside who makes a free entry into the system. The matter was brought to light when a pick-pocket moving in Metro premises without a token or pass boastfully told the entire operational procedure to a Real News correspondent. The modus operandi is novel because one staff person alone working for the Delhi Metro is in position to allow free entry to several pick-pockets. This reminds of the days not so far back when rumours abounded of the Thanas being purchased by SHOs for huge sums and the pick-pocket unions giving big amounts monthly to the Thanedars. The Metro bosses will now have to find a way to curb this new modus operandi. Real News International