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UHey everyone, this is my first post, so please excuse any mistakes. I’m 22M and a second-year law student at Delhi University.
Earlier today, my girlfriend’s dad went out to buy groceries and ended up befriending someone. Unfortunately, this guy saw his debit card PIN, stole the card, and withdrew ₹1,95,000 in multiple transactions. We only realized what had happened in the evening.
With the help of a mutual friend who had been with them, we tracked the guy down. He was acting innocent and even came with us to the police station, pretending to help. The police also suspected him and registered our complaint, asking us to return the next day once they check the cameras as it was too late and the stores and ATMs had probably shut. After that, my girlfriend’s dad did not come with us.
Since we were sure he was the one, we bluffed and told him we had CCTV footage. That’s when he confessed and agreed to return the money. But soon after, he switched off his phone. Panicked, we searched for him all over Sector 56, Gurgaon, and even asked the police to check his house around 11 PM. They told us to go home, but just as we were leaving, the mutual friend informed us that the thief was planning to escape to Jammu.
At this point, we had a choice—leave it to the cops (who had done nothing so far) or take action ourselves. Despite being scared, my girlfriend, her mom, and I decided to go out one last time. I knew the risk involved, but I wasn’t going to let him get away. We eventually found him in Sikanderpur, one of the sketchiest areas in Gurgaon. This place is known to be a red-light area, and it was definitely not safe for my girlfriend and her mom to be there at that hour. As soon as the thief saw me, he ran. At that moment, I knew I had to act. I chased him down, pushed him so he fell, and held him down while calling the cops.
This was honestly one of the bravest things I’ve ever done. I was terrified, but I still did what was right. In a city where people hesitate to step up, I literally did the police’s job for them.
Seeing the commotion, some people nearby asked what was happening. When they heard that he had stolen money and was trying to run, around 10–12 guys gathered and started beating him. We tried to stop them (I even got punched in the process), but it escalated quickly. Under pressure, the guy returned some money and tried running again, which led to another round of beatings. Eventually, he gave back around ₹1,75,000.
At this point, we were genuinely scared. Sikanderpur is not a safe area, and with 12 unknown guys surrounding us, we were worried that they could turn on us at any moment or even run away with our money. We just wanted to leave. I spotted a police car and flagged them down. They caught him, and soon after, the officers from Sector 56 arrived.
That’s when things got messy. The police didn’t scold us—they outright told me that the thief would be charged with theft, and I would be charged with “maar-peet” (assault). It felt like a warning. I told them I didn’t hit him, but the bystanders did. The thief himself even told the cops that we didn’t harm him, and I recorded a video of him saying that. But the police looked pissed, especially after I recorded the video, and now they’ve asked us to come to the station at 9 AM tomorrow. They also suspect the involvement of the mutual friend.
Now I’m feeling really anxious. I didn’t do anything wrong—I literally did their job for them. I was scared but still stepped up and showed courage. And yet, instead of being appreciated, I’m the one being threatened. We’re relieved to have gotten most of the money back and are fine with not pressing charges, considering the thief’s sad personal situation.
What should we do now? Should we proceed with the charges despite not wanting to? Can the cops actually take action against me? They seemed really pissed off. Any advice would be appreciated.
UPDATE: The parents went to the police station, around 20k are still to be recovered and the guy is saying he will pay back. I am not sure of the details because I am in college, but the parents have “thanked” the police people for being there yesterday, and nothing has really happened so far. I will update further.
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QThe police wants money. Don’t get intimidated, tell them you acted in self defence. Activate any contacts if the matter escalates. Offer them 5k to rest the matter. Nobody is coming to testify against you to prove you are guilty anyways.
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UThank you. But I did not even act in self defence, I didn’t even touch him except when I caught him and restrained him. I understand that the cops want money but being a law student, I don’t want to be in a mess or pay a bribe for being the person who did the right thing. I even stopped people from hitting him and got punched in the process. I am worried the cops will try to harass us, and I know the matter isn’t serious but the cops might try and scare us, even pressing charges. I don’t want charges against me.
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SUse some of that recovered money and get a lawyer. The police will do whatever it takes to frame you in a case, not to dispense justice, but to collect money from you. Them filing or not filing a case against the thief is immaterial, since they have nothing to gain from him.
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UThanks for replying. We went to the thief’s house, he is a divorcee, his mother just died and he loves alone with his aged father who has cancer. His daughters’ paintings were on the walls. We are happy to have most of our money back and hope to recover the other 20000 as well but we don’t want to hurt him or press charges. I know there’s no case and I did nothing wrong and it’s not even a cognizable offence. It’s just that I don’t want to face any charges or pay a bribe for doing the right thing.
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SWhether or not you face charges it not for you to decide. The police will do so, and then you either pay them (and they file a closure report), or you don’t and it goes to Court where your lawyer will explain it to the Judge (the thief’s video is immaterial as it is not considered valid under Evidence Act). Judge will most likely rule in your favor.
But you will need a lawyer.
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SThe police does not need the thief’s “permission” to file a chargesheet of Public Nuisance (Section 278 and 290 IPC), Section 31 and 34 of the Indian Police Act of 1861, Unlawful Assembly, Rioting etc among others.
Indian Police has broad discretionary powers to file whatever case they want, with little to no evidence necessary.
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UThanks for the reply. Since this is a non cognizable offence, which I am sure I shall not be held guilty of, could it affect my career or chances of going abroad in any way. How much trouble could I face?
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SYes, they’re all non cognizable. But the severity of its effect on your career and going abroad is a complex issue. I cannot say for sure what will happen. Some countries allow people who have been acquitted, while some companies/countries do not if you have even been charged with unlawful assembly, assault/battery etc at some point. I am unable to give you an answer as to what the exact effect will be.
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UI believe I did the right thing today. Constantly. Apologised to his dad for getting the police to his house, apologised to him for people hitting him because of us, even got punched trying to save him. I continued to do the right thing I believe. And I am so proud of myself. If the police do harass us tomorrow, then I wouldn’t want to do the wrong thing and let them harass or bribe them specially being a law student I’d want them to go ahead with it. Coz if I had a chance to do something like this again even for a stranger, I would. And I don’t want to lead the rest of life scared of consequences for doing the right thing.
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UYou are an amazing person OP. We need more people like who are true to their education and job. We’re here with you. I can’t help you in any way, but I’ll pray for the truth to prevail and justice to be established. Police men are definitely greedy and always ready for ammend laws according to their whims, but you have to stay strong mentally and move ahead. You may ask your college professors or seniors to help you with the legal steps I’m sure they’ll definitely extend a helping hand. I hope at this this time a common person with moral duties isn’t badged down with authoritative lawlessness.
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UThe police needs like 2-3k, that’s it. Give it to them and they’ll shutup.
I’m more intrigued in knowing how did your friend track him down? 😮-
UThanks for the assurance. He did not track him down he just recalled a conversation saying that he was gonna go to Jammu tonight, and I figured he would probably go from IFFCO Chowk, so I decided to drive till there at 1230 AM, and since he’s an alcoholic I decided to search near the thekas. We found him near one. I am very proud of myself for today. I feel like a hero for something so small. But I hated the look on the cops face and instead of appreciating me like everybody was they threatened me and asked me to come to the station. I do have a video though.
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PIf the thana fellows dont pick up from where you left off and try to side track the main issue .. I suggest you goto the DCP and ask your GF dad to give a written complaint and your GF, her mom can stand as witness along with your video proof…being a law student you need to do this much. The other alternative is to take the hit of a few thousand ₹s abd let matters lie and put the matters to rest. But your GF and her mom will by now br appreciating of a brave would-be SIL !!😀
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SBhai, you are a law student. You can ask any of your seniors to help you out in this. Secondly, don’t worry it’s not a serious issue, if they want to charge you, let them say they can’t prove anything.
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UDont pay money, probably police is trying to drop case against thief, take the help of lawyer meet the police , take it head on.
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UPolice will do nothing, they don’t want to officially investigate a case where there is no complainant.
These all are pressure tactics, just pay 4-5 k n dnt ever visit that Police station even if they say come at this time
If the cops have registered a FIR of gf’s father then only they will investigate it, still it’s not a issue for you guys
I am sure police must have taken a NC not a FIR -
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CJust chill. You don’t even have to go to the police station. Go to college. Speak to your seniors. The police need to send a summons. If they call, tell them you are in college.
Most likely they have only made an NC. If they make a FIR they need to give you a copy.
If you do feel the need to go to the station, take a few people with you. No need to bribe. You have not done anything, plus they don’t have video or proof either.
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P>Seeing the commotion, some people nearby asked what was happening. When they heard that he had stolen money and was trying to run, around 10–12 guys gathered and started beating him. We tried to stop them (I even got punched in the process), but it escalated quickly.
Ahh nothing can describe Gurgaon better
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SDo not bribe the Police please. You have done nothing wrong. They might have called you just for the sake of routine investigations. However do not go alone to the Police Station. Go with a lawyer.
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UHI, thankyou so much, I don’t want to bribe the police either. I am thankful for whatever help they’ve done, but if somebody snatched your phone and ran away, you’d chase him and try to restrain him until police arrive. That is all I have done and even the cops know that I alone could not have beat the guy up. The guy also cleared up in front of the cops that we had not done anything to him. So I guess we should be fine. I am just upset about the cops seeing an opportunity to scare someone(they don’t know I am an LLB student) and using it as a cash grab for someone who did nothing wrong.
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LKhaki p!gs get their cut from thieves in return for turning a blind eye.
Those pigs are probably just intimidating you, and they won’t go ahead with pressing charges since they need to do additional paperwork for filing a case.
Since you are a law student, take a lawyer along with you and see those pigs p!ss in their pants. -
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SThere are two main issues in this case. The first is theft, for which that individual will be held responsible. The second is assault and battery, for which you are accountable. Use your legal connections to find a strong and valid defense, such as self-defense or the need to protect yourself. What you’ve shared is your version of events, but if the case goes to court, both sides will be heard before a decision is made. Gather as much evidence as possible and secure eyewitnesses who can support your account. Additionally, you can obtain communications and text messages between the thief and their associate during the discovery process.
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CThe police was pissed because they would’ve taken acommission from the thief had they ever had the intention to catch him. Now they’ll probably expect you to cough up some. Best deal is to reach the station with the person on whose name the complaint is filed (in your case its the gf’s father). Also its self defence, if the instigation was started from the other. If they file an FIR on you, you can easily file a counter FIR on unnamed mob and the police officers present at the situation. Don’t back down. Best of luck buddy 👍🏽
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USo far the cops seem to have ignored yesterday’s incident, and we just want to get out of the situation as most of the money has been recovered and the guy has also received a beating from the mob. The police will just make things harder I feel.
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UFirst of all you deserve hats off. We need people like you in force then in law. Please consider this as your career.
Few missing points – why a person whose money got stolen didn’t joined you? Cannot digest. How come you are so casual with GF parents and taking along her mother with you to that area?
Police asking you assaulting – don’t think it will fly, you have thief and just keep denying you didn’t even touch him, just deny accusations, let thief and police make evidence to prove that, make sure you keep denying it. And you got most of the money back which is great. The reason mob gathering and helping because they usually expect a cut from it. Since police came and you saved few bucks there as well, good job overall. Looking for a country where people like you join ground forces.
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UThankyou so much. Really makes me wonder sometimes if it’s worth doing the right thing. The parents are pretty chill we have been dating for 6 years, they treat me like a son. The father did not accompany us as he is diabetic and was having serious panic, so we figured it would be best for him to stay home as he was constantly panicking. Besides we did not expect to find him at the sketchy area, we just stumbled upon him in the way.
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UA person I knew made a video of a maid who stole money. The video went viral.
The person was called to come to station and was asked to pay money. They said the maid is trying to self harm after the video went viral so if he doesn’t want to get into trouble then give them some chai-paani.
40k was the chai – paani ☕
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RBhai mano na mano chahe aapne rokne ki kosish ho lekin ye blame marpit ka aap pr hi lgega but nothing to worry bcoz agar thief ko koi major injury nhi hai to kuch bhi nhi ho skta tumhare against ..but be polite with the police officials and accept ki maine isko pkda lekin mara nhi aur agar fr b chor khe ki main marpit ki complaint dunga aapke khilaaf to kho ki go on krde complaint hum bhi fraud ki complaint krenge bcoz you got enough proofs ki tumne ye sb apne self defense me kia ..worst scenario me agr tumhare against marpit ki fir ho bhi jati to most probably court me cancel hojaegi bcoz tumne kuch bhi glt nhi kia ..lat ye law student wala ego ya confidence side me rhkna pure matter me bcoz is chij ka tumhare lafde se koi lenadena nhi hai
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