Grandmother of all gangs

A visit to Nani is incomplete without pranks, but the brothers Sunny (19) and Shekhar (24) went too far. Sons of a Delhi Police constable, the two — along with their three accomplices — took to burgling houses every time they visited their Nani in Kotla Mubarakpur, reports Vijaita Singh.

A visit to Nani (maternal grandmother) is incomplete without pranks, but the brothers Sunny (19) and Shekhar (24) went too far. Sons of a Delhi Police constable, the two — along with their three accomplices — took to burgling houses every time they visited their Nani in Kotla Mubarakpur.

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Not just any old house, mind you. The five delighted in stripping clean the quarters of bureaucrats and other government servants — including intelligence bureau officers — apparently because these had the weakest of defences — obsolete padlocks.

All five were arrested on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in more than 40 cases of burglary in Lodhi Colony, Sarojini Nagar and Tughlaq Road areas.

Modus operandi

Police said the five were careful not to rouse suspicion. They would familiarise themselves not only with the ‘target’ but also the people around. So, for instance, they would join children in a game of cricket. While three of them would continued playing, the other two would do a reconnaissance of the area and mark out houses with heavy padlocks.

“They could enter government colonies easily as there were no security guards to question them. Sometimes, they even pretended to seek donation for a cause,” said a police officer.

Usually, the gang went after jewellery, as they could sell it to a Paharganj-based jeweller. Once they had sold off the loot, the five would split the money over liquor at a park on Mandir Marg. Next, they would slip away to hill stations with women, and not return till the money ran out.

The gang

Apart from the brothers, the gang included Sandeep (22), Murgesh (22) and Kuldeep (23). Kamal (40), the Paharganj jeweller, was also arrested. Police said all the accused were school dropouts. Surprisingly, Sunny, who was the youngest of the lot, led the gang.

The booty

Police have recovered three gold chains,19 gold rings, 11 earrings, six pairs of silver anklets, a gold necklace, a crystal encrusted silver set, seven silver rings and six pairs of toe rings from the accused.