India’s love for plants and greenery is well-known, but it seems some people are taking this affection to a whole new level by resorting to plant theft! The recent incident of a couple stealing plants from the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Dausa, Rajasthan, has once again highlighted this bizarre trend. In an era of advanced surveillance and social media sharing, it’s surprising how some folks still believe they can get away with such antics.
Video of a couple stealing plants placed alongside Delhi-Mumbai Expressway goes viral on social media.
Watch: https://t.co/QoIN1kI3SK pic.twitter.com/pprZvNyQek
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On a seemingly regular day, the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway witnessed an unusual stoppage. A black Scorpio car pulled over near Aabhaneri Circle in Dausa district. To the bewilderment of onlookers, a man and a woman emerged from the car and casually started stealing the plants placed alongside the road. The daring duo managed to snatch around nine to eleven pots, meant for decoration, before making their speedy getaway.
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Thanks to the ever-vigilant surveillance system on the Greenfield Expressway, the entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras. In no time, the footage found its way onto the social media platforms, becoming an overnight sensation. The video of the audacious plant heist was shared on Twitter (now X), leaving netizens stunned by the audacity of the plant pilferers. Following the incident of plant theft, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) promptly informed the Bandikui Police Station in Dausa district. The Regional Officer, Harish Sharma, took immediate action and instructed the authorities to file a case in this regard.
Expressing concern over the incident, NHAI’s Project Director, Sahiram, emphasized that the government is actively promoting greenery through plantation initiatives. However, it is disheartening to witness that despite such efforts, some individuals are unscrupulously engaging in the theft of plants. In response to this unfortunate event, a formal report has been lodged at the Bandikui Police Station against the suspects involved in the car. Currently, the police are diligently investigating the matter to bring the culprits to justice and deter such unlawful activities in the future.
The Notorious Trend
Regrettably, this is not the first time India has witnessed such bizarre plant-stealing shenanigans. Just a few days before this incident, a similar case was reported in Nagpur. Two audacious men in a silver BMW 3-Series were caught red-handed stealing flower pots displayed for a G20 event. The video of their escapade was also uploaded on social media, giving the authorities yet another headache.
But wait, there’s more! In another incident that shook the nation, a man driving a lavish Rs 40 lakh Kia Carnival was also caught on camera stealing flower pots in Gurugram. The video of the incident quickly went viral, leading to the man’s arrest by the Gurugram police. It seems the allure of plants and the thrill of theft have become an irresistible combo for some individuals.
Go green going the wrong direction
While India aims to promote greenery and beautification through plantations, some people seem to interpret it as an open invitation to create their secret gardens by stealthily amassing stolen plants. It appears that they believe their luxurious cars grant them immunity from the watchful eyes of surveillance cameras and vigilant netizens.
In a world where surveillance and social media reign supreme, it’s surprising that plant theft is still an ongoing predicament. The recent incident of a couple snatching plants from the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway joins the growing list of audacious green thieves in the country. As we continue to marvel at their daring escapades, let us hope that the authorities take swift action to discourage such behavior. Meanwhile, it might be best for these plant enthusiasts to stick to visiting the local nursery for their green fix – minus the handcuffs!
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