Vehicle thieves on the prowl in Chandigarh

Among the total reported vehicle thefts of 1,382, Chandigarh Police could solve only 211 cases

According to data shared by the Chandigarh Police, 595 MV thefts were reported from January 1 to June 30, 2024, under the IPC, and 787 from July 1 to December 31, 2024, under the BNS. (Express Photo)

More than a third of all FIRs registered in 2024 in Chandigarh were related to vehicle and house thefts.

Of the total 3,612 FIRs registered last year under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 1,382 were for “Motor Vehicle (MV)” thefts, while 79 cases were for burglary.

According to data shared by the Chandigarh Police, 595 MV thefts were reported from January 1 to June 30, 2024, under the IPC, and 787 from July 1 to December 31, 2024, under the BNS.

Notably, out of the total 1,382 MV theft cases, the city police solved only 211.

From January 1 to June 30, 2024, there were 23 cases of robbery, 38 cases of burglary, and 70 cases of snatching. Under the new laws effective from July 1 to December 31, 2024, 23 cases of robbery, 41 cases of burglary, and 57 cases of snatching were reported. In total, the UT police solved 41 cases of robbery, 36 cases of burglary, and 88 cases of snatching in 2024.

Veenu Tiwana, a resident of Sector 3, Chandigarh, whose house was burgled on the night of December 19-20, said there has been a spurt in burglary incidents in the city.

“While we were outside our residence, thieves entered our house at night and, in a professional manner, decamped with cash and gold ornaments,” she said. Veenu added that on the same night, another house in Sector 11 was targeted, and similar thefts were reported in Sector 10 earlier in December.

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Although Veenu filed a formal complaint with the police, she alleged that no action had been taken so far, as the accused have not yet been traced.

In two other theft cases registered on Thursday, Rohit, a resident of Dhanas, reported the theft of gold and silver jewellery along with cash from his residence during the night of December 31. In another case, Rozal Batra, the owner of a Vita booth in Sector 42-B, alleged that cash, chocolates, Red Bull, peanut butter, desi ghee boxes, and milk crates were stolen from the booth on the night of January 1.

The police said investigations in both cases are ongoing.

Slight decrease in snatching cases

Compared to previous years, there was a slight decrease in snatching cases in 2024. As many as 138 cases were reported in 2022, 155 in 2023, and 129 in 2024.

Rise in murder cases

Chandigarh saw a rise in murder cases in 2024 compared to the last two years. While there were 19 murder cases in 2022 and 17 in 2023, the number increased to 21 in 2024.

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The data also revealed that from January 1 to June 30, 2024, 51 cases of murder, attempt to murder, and culpable homicide were reported under the IPC, of which 49 were solved. From July 1 to December 31, 39 such cases were reported under the BNS, and all were resolved.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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