Bengaluru Police Go Undercover on Buses for 2 Weeks, Nab Pickpockets

Undercover Operation Targets Bus Criminals

Bengaluru police pulled off a quiet sting that has commuters talking. For two weeks, a team of 15 officers went undercover on the city's BMTC buses. They posed as ordinary passengers, blending into the crush of daily travel.

The mission was simple: catch pickpockets in the act. The officers rode different routes at peak hours, watching for suspicious activity. They did not announce themselves. They just rode, observed, and waited.

The result came this week. Police arrested 12 people on charges of pickpocketing. The gang included a woman, officials confirmed. The arrests happened across multiple bus stops and routes, but details on exact locations remain limited.

How the Sting Worked

The undercover team used a mix of tactics. Some officers acted as sleepy passengers, others as distracted tourists. They carried dummy wallets and phones as bait.

Hidden cameras were also placed on select buses. This allowed a separate monitoring team to track movements in real time. When a suspect made a move, plainclothes officers closed in.

"We wanted to hit them where they operate," a senior officer told NDTV. "Buses are crowded. People let their guard down. We used that to our advantage."

Rising Complaints Prompted Action

The operation came after a spike in theft complaints on BMTC buses. Commuters had reported losing phones, wallets, and bags, often without noticing until they got off.

Police say the arrested suspects are linked to at least 20 such cases. Investigators are now checking if they are part of a larger network operating across the city.

Officers recovered several stolen items during the arrests, including mobile phones and cash. The exact value of the recovered goods has not been released.

What Happens Next

The 12 accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. They are currently in police custody and will be produced before a local court.

Police say they will continue patrolling buses in plain clothes. The operation may be extended to metro trains and bus stations if complaints persist.