Lucknow – In a significant breakthrough, the Surveillance Cell of the South Zone of Lucknow Police Commissionerate, along with teams from Mohanlalganj, Nagaram, and Nigohan police stations, has busted a major inter-district gang involved in dacoity and theft. Seven hardened criminals have been arrested in a joint operation conducted between April 13 and April 15, 2025.
According to officials, the arrested individuals have a long criminal history and face multiple charges including dacoity, murder, theft, and offences under the Gangster Act. Notably, five of the arrested criminals carried a reward of ₹25,000 each on their heads.
Shootout and Arrests
Two of the accused were injured in a police encounter after they opened fire on law enforcement personnel. The injured were arrested and are currently undergoing treatment. In another encounter on April 14 near Nagaram Road, two more criminals were injured while two others were taken into custody. Search operations are underway to nab remaining gang members still at large.
Seized Items from the Accused:
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4 illegal country-made pistols (.315 bore)
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4 empty shells and 3 live cartridges
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3 motorcycles
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₹21,600 in cash
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Gold and silver jewellery worth approximately ₹5 lakh
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Iron rods and sharp tools used in break-ins
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Fake documents including PAN cards and Aadhaar cards
Crime Background:
The gang’s latest criminal act dates back to the night of March 25, 2025, when Gangaram, a resident of Bhaidwa village under Mohanlalganj police station, alerted authorities after hearing suspicious movements and gunshots on his roof around 11:45 PM. On investigating, he saw a group dragging a person away, with bloodstains found on the rooftop.
Four dedicated teams were quickly deployed by the police, who used surveillance and technical inputs to identify the core members of the gang. During the investigation, it was revealed that one gang member had been accidentally shot during the dacoity and later died. To mislead investigators, the gang dumped his body on a railway track to pass it off as a suicide.
Modus Operandi:
During interrogation, the gang revealed their elaborate planning tactics:
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Before any operation, they sent one or two members to conduct recce in the targeted village.
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They never used mobile phones to avoid surveillance.
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They hid motorcycles in nearby fields before the crime.
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Before entering homes, they would apply oil on their bodies and remove their clothes to slip through narrow passages and avoid capture.
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All movements were done through fields to escape CCTV surveillance.
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Entry and exit points were pre-determined, and operations were carried out only on dark, moonless nights.
Profiles of the Arrested Criminals:
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Ramchandra alias Chhotu – 16 criminal cases
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Kamlesh – 35 criminal cases
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Babu Ram – 11 criminal cases
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Jhabbu alias Seth – 18 criminal cases
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Abhilakh Loniya – 19 criminal cases
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Shibbu alias Vikas – 3 criminal cases
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Satish Soni (jeweller) – arrested for purchasing stolen jewellery
Police Statement:
Senior police officials have praised the swift coordination and courage shown by the joint police teams. Efforts are ongoing to trace the remaining gang members and unravel the full extent of their criminal network. The success of this operation has brought a sense of relief to several villages in the region that had been living in fear due to the gang’s activities.
