Many people residing in and around Kurla would thank Om Chaurasia for being a saviour. The 25-year-old would always be found near Kurla station after midnight, ferrying commuters short distances when no other transport was available. He would ply his auto till 4 am and park it at a designated spot. A noble soul one would think. The only problem: Chaurasia wasn’t using his own vehicles. He would steal an auto for a few hours every night, ply passengers short distances, make his money and quietly park the vehicle before its rightful owner arrived to drive it at 5 am.

The Kurla police arrested Om Chaurasia on January 8