Goa police have successfully busted an interstate criminal group known as the ‘Pardi Gang’, arresting three members, including a minor, in connection with two theft-related cases registered at the Old Goa and Pernem police stations.
The first case involves Laxmikant Chandrakant Chopdekar from Ribandar, who reported the theft of a silver karande (decorative container) and two pairs of silver rings valued at Rs15,000 after unknown intruders broke into his home.
Following investigations, the accused were traced to the Hubballi and Bengaluru regions. A police chase ensued from Khanapur through Anmod Ghat to Goa, leading to the arrest of Prem Baddi (28) from Karnataka and Waseem Tajahmad (32) from Vasco at the Dhulapi check post.
In a related second case, Pernem police recorded a complaint by businessman Sanjivan Vengurlekar, who was assaulted with a sharp object during an attempted robbery of his taxi. A minor from Maharashtra was arrested, and the stolen vehicle recovered, though five gang members escaped under cover of darkness.
The minor identified his accomplices and revealed that Waseem Tajahmad was the gang leader, having coordinated with members staying in hotels in Calangute and Margao. Following information sharing with the Sawantwadi police and Kankavali local crime branch, two more suspects — Hadya alias Shankar Pawar (25) and Gudya alias Raju (24) from Solapur, Maharashtra — were arrested in Bengaluru.
Police confirmed that both theft and assault cases were linked and orchestrated by the same gang, marking the first time members of the notorious ‘Pardi Gang’ have been caught by Goa police.
