Suraj Bahadur, two-time winner of the National Games in taekwondo, has been arrested by Delhi Police for his involvement in more than 100 snatching and armed robbery cases. The 28-year-old was also one of the contestants in the reality TV show Indian Idol. 

Police revealed he was allegedly caught with more than 2.5 kg of gold, 55 stolen phones, five stolen vehicles and a country-made pistol. 

Also Read | A timeline of the allegations that led to R Kelly’s conviction

During further checking, police found a pistol and arrested him. Police found him last week roaming on a scooter in Moti Nagar and thought his activities were “suspicious”. On further investigation, they found that the scooter had been stolen recently. 

Urvija Goel, DCP (West), said “he confessed to having been involved in 100 cases of snatching in different parts of Delhi.” Recently, he had allegedly threatened a jeweller at gunpoint and robbed him of 2.5 kg of gold in the Sabzi Mandi area.

Also Read | Memphis shooting: Witnesses recall incident that killed 1, injured 13

On being further questioned, he admitted to being arrested in similar cases in 2014, 2017 and 2019, but going back to the life of crime after getting bailed out. 

“He and his gang members have been caught several times but after getting bail, he again joins a local gang and starts committing crimes. He had also procured a pistol and was using it to threaten people to steal expensive items,” said an officer.

Suraj graduated from Delhi University with a diploma in computer engineering. He won two gold medals in taekwondo in 2012-13. In 2008, he participated in Indian Idol where he made it among the top 50 contestants.

“He told us he left sports and singing as he couldn’t earn much and decided to commit crimes. He loves branded clothes and expensive cars. He wanted to buy these things for himself and joined local gangs,” said the officer.