Gujarat Police nab habitual offender wanted in seven cases

Ahmedabad, Aug 30 (IANS) Gujarat Police’s Ahmedabad City Crime Branch has arrested a 35-year-old alleged member of the ‘Chhara gang’ who was wanted in seven cases of robbery, theft and offences registered under the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GujCTOC) law, and recovered cash and other property worth Rs 8.68 lakh from him, police said on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Vishal alias Bhau Tanwani, was arrested in connection with a case registered at Krishna Nagar Police Station after a person carrying Rs 50 lakh in cash belonging to an Angadia firm was allegedly robbed.

According to police, the victim had left in a four-wheeler from near Maruti Plaza opposite ADC Bank in the Krishna Nagar area when the accused and his associates allegedly stopped the vehicle by falsely claiming that an accident had occurred.

While the victim was distracted in an argument, another accomplice allegedly broke the car window and took away the cash.

The three suspects then fled the spot. Police said the arrested accused was also wanted in cases registered at Sarkhej, Bopal, Odhav, Sola High Court and Ellisbridge police stations.

The seven cases involve offences under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including robbery, theft and related offences.

The Crime Branch said the accused and his associates allegedly worked as a group and conducted reconnaissance of Angadia firms before targeting people carrying cash.

They allegedly followed such persons on motorcycles and used excuses such as an accident or an argument to make them stop.

While one member kept the victim engaged in conversation, others allegedly opened the boot of a two-wheeler using an Allen key and took cash and valuables.

In cases involving cars, the accused allegedly distracted drivers before stealing bags containing cash from the front seat.

Police also said the group targeted parked cars containing valuables, breaking their windows with a glass-breaking tool and taking articles from inside.

The accused allegedly wore helmets and covered their faces with handkerchiefs, changed clothes during offences and altered motorcycle number plates to avoid identification.

The Crime Branch said it recovered Rs 7.5 lakh in cash, two mobile phones worth Rs 18,000, a motorcycle valued at Rs 1 lakh, a glass breaker, an Allen key and a helmet. The total value of the seized property was put at Rs 8.68 lakh.

Police records show that Vishal alias Bhau has previously been booked in cases at Navrangpura, Odhav, Vastrapur, Adalaj and Wadaj police stations, as well as Kashmere Gate Police Station in North Delhi.

The previous cases include offences under the Indian Penal Code relating to theft, robbery and criminal conspiracy.

The accused was subsequently handed over for further legal proceedings to the concerned police authorities.

–IANS

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