Khadki Police in Pune have arrested nine men, some of whom are linked to the notorious Nonia gang, for allegedly plotting an armed robbery. The gang, believed to be involved in mobile theft and robberies across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, was planning to target a petrol pump on the old Pune-Mumbai highway near Wakdewadi.
The arrests followed a tip-off received during police bandobast for Dr BR Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14. Acting swiftly, officers laid a trap and initially caught six suspects, while three others fled. However, the absconding members were arrested later in Wagholi on Tuesday.
Accused Identified:
Abhishek Rajkumar Mahato – Katihar, Bihar
Dinesh Rajkumar Noniya – Katihar, Bihar
Ujir Salim Sheikh – Katihar, Bihar
Kunal Ratan Mahato – Katihar, Bihar
Rohankumar Viloprasad Chaurasiya – Sahibganj, Jharkhand
Sachin Sukhdev Kumar – Sahibganj, Jharkhand
Rajesh Dharmapal Norniya – Vardhaman, West Bengal
Amir Noor Sheikh – Jharkhand
Sumit Munna Mahatokumar – Jharkhand
All accused are between 18 to 20 years old, and police suspect that some may have a criminal record as juveniles.
Police seized 30 stolen mobile phones worth Rs8 lakh from their possession. According to Senior Inspector Dilip Fhulpagare, a case has been registered under:
Sections 310(4)(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
Sections 4, 25, 37(1), and 135 of the Mumbai Police Act
Sub-Inspector Digvijay Chaughule noted that the gang mainly operated in mobile theft and robbery, often striking during festivals. They were known to reside on the outskirts of cities to avoid detection.
This successful operation has thwarted a potential major crime and is part of Khadki Police’s ongoing crackdown on interstate criminal networks.
