Police bust interstate gang of robbers, arrest 2

The high level of security in outstation trains in view of the World Cup final landed two members of an interstate gang of robbers behind bars. While Ratan Chauhan, 48 and Gandhi Yadav, 22, were arrested, their six accomplices managed to escape.

The high level of security in outstation trains in view of the World Cup final landed two members of an interstate gang of robbers behind bars. While Ratan Chauhan, 48 and Gandhi Yadav, 22, were arrested, their six accomplices managed to escape.

HT Image

The government railway police (GRP) sent teams to patrol outstation trains coming from Delhi, especially the Garib Rath, in which most cases of robbery have been reported.

On March 28, GRP officials noticed a man ask a woman, who was travelling alone, if she wanted help to take her luggage to the door. She wanted to get off at Borivli station.

As the train was approaching Vasai station, the officials saw that the other gang members tried to cover their accomplice, and they intervened. They managed to catch Chauhan and Yadav.

The gang, who operated on trains running on the Mumbai-Delhi route, targeted mostly women passengers.

“In most cases, the women are more than happy when they get help. While one person takes the bag to the door, others cover him in such a way that he cannot be seen while he opens the bag with duplicate keys, removes valuables and locks it again,” said Uday Rajeshirke, police inspector of Borivli GRP.

The gang, whose members are from Haryana, has committed more than 50 thefts, said officials from the Borivli government railway police. They also have similar cases registered against them with the Delhi railway police.

The GRP have not recovered any of the stolen bags because they are with the alleged gang leader, who was identified only as Ranvir, who has escaped. Chauhan and Yadav have been remanded in police custody till April 5.