A 73-year-old lawyer, allegedly involved in 93 cases of vehicle theft here and neighbouring states, has been arrested with a stolen car and two fake number plates, including one belonging to a Home Ministry car, police said today.

"Dhani Ram Mittal, a resident of Jehangirpuri, was arrested around 6.30 PM yesterday at Shafiabad Road near toll- tax in Outer Delhi, after cops found the engine number and chassis number different from the one mentioned on vehicle's registration certificate during a routine check," M A Rizwi, Additional CP, Outer district, said.

Mittal is a notorious cheat and a mastermind in the art of vehicle theft, Rizwi said, adding that he was previously involved in 93 cases of motor vehicle theft and forgery.

"When police questioned him, he threatened them to get them suspended as he was a senior citizen. He tried to give police the slip but was arrested," Rizwi said.

During the probe, it was found that he was involved in 93 cases of cheating, forgery and motor vehicle theft. Also, two number plates of a Home Ministry car were recovered.

Mittal, during interrogation, confessed his involvement in the theft cases.

"A first class in graduation from Vaish College, Rohtak and he also did a diploma in hand writing and graphology (pseudo-scientific study and analysis of handwriting, especially in relation to human psychology). He started working as Munshi to various advocates and also graduated in law in 1970.

"He started his practice in the court in Rohtak. He was previously involved in 93 cases of cheating, forgery and motor vehicle theft. He entered into crime in 1964 in Rohtak," Rizwi said.

Detailing about his modus operandi, Mittal said that he used to park his car near to the car which he planed to steal. He used to open the car with master key and if caught red handed, he sought excuse to the person concerned and used to say that it happened by mistake due to his old age, the official said.

He used steal cars from the parking lots near court complexes in Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan and Punjab, and usually old cars which had old locks, the official said.

Mittal, a first class Science graduate and LLB from Sri Ganga Nagar in Rajasthan, also has a Diploma in hand writing and graphology, he said.

This is the second arrest of an advocate in a month for their involvement in car theft. Last month, Rajiv Goyal, a Bahadurgarh resident and a member of Bahadurgarh Bar Council in Haryana, was arrested from Rohini Sector 15 for stealing 40 vehicles.