India, April 9 -- What began as a routine evening near Delhi University's North Campus turned into a moment of panic for an assistant professor when thieves smashed her car window and fled with a bag containing her laptop and years of research. Hours later, aided by a tracking application and a risky search, she managed to recover it.

The incident took place on a busy stretch of Bungalow Road near North Campus, where the professor had parked her car while visiting the area with her husband. According to her account shared on social media, the laptop contained nearly six years of her PhD work.

The professor, who teaches at Maitreyi College and is pursuing her doctorate from Delhi University, said the theft occurred while they were away f...