Stole 1000 cars, posed as fake judge, and freed 2000 criminals: India’s ‘smartest’ thief

Dhani Ram Mittal, known as the ‘Super Natwarlal’ and ‘Indian Charles Sobhraj’ among police circles, has established a notorious reputation as one of India’s most intelligent and crafty criminals. Despite possessing extensive qualifications, including a law degree and expertise in handwriting analysis and graphology, Mittal chose a criminal path as his way of life.

Over nearly six decades, Mittal amassed a staggering criminal record, with more than 1000 car thefts and numerous arrests attributed to his name. His preferred method involved audaciously stealing cars in broad daylight, primarily operating in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and nearby regions.

One of Mittal’s most daring exploits involved engineering the temporary absence of an additional session Judge. Using forged documents, Mittal orchestrated a two-month vacation for the Judge from the Jhajjar court. During this time, Mittal assumed the Judge’s position and released over 2000 criminals. However, authorities promptly recaptured the freed criminals.

Mittal even presided over his own case and delivered a judgment before authorities realized his ruse, leading to his escape.

Before turning to a life of crime, Mittal, a law graduate, worked as a station master using fraudulent documents from 1968 to 1974.

Mittal once again made headlines with his recent arrest in Delhi’s Paschim Vihar. He was apprehended while attempting to sell a stolen Maruti Esteem car to a scrap dealer, a vehicle he had stolen from Shalimar Bagh. This marks his second car theft since his release from jail on May 4, with the previous arrest occurring in March.

During police questioning, Mittal admitted to targeting older vehicles lacking advanced anti-theft security systems.

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