Delhi Crime: A wave of panic has taken over the residential pockets of Pitampura and Keshavpuram as an unidentified man, pretending as a service worker, has been caught on camera attempting to force his way into homes while armed with a sickle. The suspect has been seen on multiple CCTV cameras over the last 20 days but has not been caught yet, leading to questions among residents about the efficiency of the local police force.
Delhi Crime: A Friendly Face Turns Violent
The suspect’s strategy appears calculated to exploit the quiet afternoon hours when many homes are occupied only by women or children. Dressed inconspicuously in a grey shirt, black pants, and a cap, the middle-aged man typically does the following:
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Initial Approach: Rings doorbells, posing as a mechanic, a delivery agent, or a lost individual to engage residents in calm conversation.
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The Turn: Once a door is opened or a target is identified, he produces a sickle to threaten the occupants.
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Target Areas: The incidents have been concentrated in Keshav Puram’s C3 Block and Pitampura’s Maurya Enclave.
Delhi Crime: A Trail of Incidents
The most recent chilling footage from May 8 shows the man chatting calmly with a woman before reappearing moments later, rushing through the frame with a sickle in hand. In this instance, a resident’s quick thinking to raise an alarm forced the man to flee. Witnesses say he discarded the weapon in a nearby park during his escape.
However, not all encounters have ended without injury. On April 21, in Pitampura’s Maurya Enclave, the suspect allegedly entered a home where a teenager was alone. “He threatened the boy with a sharp-edged weapon and fled with cash and jewelry worth lakhs,” a source familiar with the case reported.
The victim’s family believes the suspect is 55-year-old Ajay Bagga, though Delhi Police have yet to officially confirm this identity or announce a breakthrough.
Residents on Edge
The failure to apprehend the suspect despite clear visual evidence has sparked outrage among local Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). “He went to around six to eight houses in the block and kept ringing doorbells. Thankfully, no major incident happened here [this time],” said RK Gulati, President of the local RWA.
Delhi Crime: Current Security Measures in the Area:
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Restricted Entry: Residents are reportedly refusing to open doors to any unknown visitors.
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Digital Vigilance: Families are relying heavily on intercoms and real-time CCTV feeds before engaging with anyone at their gates.
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Increased Patrols: While residents have requested more boots on the ground, they claim the police presence has been insufficient to deter the “sickle man”.
As the suspect remains unidentified and mobile, the Northwest district remains under a self-imposed lockdown during the afternoon hours, waiting for an arrest that is now nearly three weeks overdue.
Residents of Pitampura and Keshavpuram are advised to verify the identity of all service personnel via official apps or society intercoms before unlocking primary doors.
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