Stolen $1,600 Returned as Delhi Police Trace Iranian Tourist’s Purse Theft

December 21, 2025

New Delhi: 1,600 US dollars stolen from an Iranian citizen’s purse was recovered by Delhi Police within hours. A bus helper has been arrested in connection with the theft at ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi Police said on Sunday.

Purse left on bus, money found missing

According to Delhi Police, the case came to light when Delhi University professor Dr. Ali Akbar Shah filed a complaint at the police post at ISBT Kashmere Gate. He stated that his guest, Fereshte Sayanjali, an Iranian citizen who arrived in India on December 13th, returned to Delhi via Flixbus from Rishikesh on December 15th after a trip to Uttarakhand.

Around 1:45 p.m., Fareshte Sayanjali accidentally left her purse on the bus while getting off. Shortly after, the bus operator called her to inform her that her purse had been found, but when the purse was returned, the $1,600 it contained was missing.

Police Investigation Reveals Bus Helper’s Role

Following the complaint, a case was registered at the Kashmere Gate police station on December 16th under Section 305(b) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and an investigation was immediately initiated.

A police team was formed under the leadership of Inspector Prashant Yadav, SHO, Kashmere Gate Police Station, and under the supervision of ACP Shankar Banerjee. The team questioned the Flixbus driver and conductor. The conductor stated that the purse was found lying on the bus seat and had been handed to him by the bus helper, Monish.

Initially, the helper tried to mislead the police, but during rigorous interrogation, he confessed to stealing the money from the purse.

Night raid, full amount recovered

Following this, a late-night raid was conducted at the accused’s home in Jahangirpuri, where the entire stolen amount of $1,600 was recovered.

DCP Raja Banthia stated that the arrested accused, Monish (26 years), is a 10th-grade graduate and had been working as a helper at Flixbus for the past year.