DEEP DIVES 
In the shadowy streets of Thane and Navi Mumbai, two notorious robbery gangs — the Irani and Shikalgar groups — have long terrorized residents with their swift and daring crimes. Recent police action has cracked their code, revealing chilling secrets behind their criminal mastery.
Police Operation and Arrests
The Thane crime branch’s Kalyan unit conducted a high-stakes operation, arresting four key members of these gangs. These aren’t ordinary thieves; the gangs specialize in:
- Lightning-fast chain snatchings
- Vehicle thefts
- House break-ins
They execute multiple crimes in a single night with uncanny precision.
Modus Operandi of the Shikalgar Gang
The Shikalgar gang used stolen motorcycles to scout and strike residential areas, breaking into up to six homes in just hours. Their methodical planning and speed made them almost ghost-like — until they were caught.
Recovered Evidence and Confessions
The recovered loot included gold ornaments and six stolen cars worth over ₹36 lakh, highlighting the scale and sophistication of their operations. The arrested members confessed to 29 cases that span:
- Dacoity
- Chain snatching
- Vehicle theft
- Burglaries across multiple police jurisdictions
Significance of the Bust
This bust signifies more than just arrests and recovered loot; it sends a strong message to habitual offenders lurking in Mumbai’s shadows: the law is closing in. The police tracked these gangs for weeks using:
- Technical surveillance
- Local intelligence
to dismantle their network.
Unanswered Questions
Despite the successful crackdown, questions remain:
- How did these gangs operate freely for so long?
- What tactics did they use to evade capture?
- Could there be more hidden cells still at large?
Mumbai’s crime underbelly is vast and complex, and this breakthrough might just be the tip of the iceberg.
For those fascinated by crime thrillers and real-life mysteries, this case offers a gripping glimpse into the cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and criminal masterminds.
Stay tuned to DEEP DIVES for more latest updates.
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