In a significant crackdown on inter-state vehicle theft, Bhanwarkuan police arrested Bayar Raj Karma, a key member of a gang involved in stealing two-wheelers across Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Based on a tip-off, police also apprehended four individuals who had allegedly purchased stolen bikes and recovered 10 motorcycles worth approximately Rs14 lakh.
Karma, originally from Barwani district, was living in a hostel in Pipliyarao. During interrogation, he admitted to targeting high-end motorcycles along with his accomplices and revealed how the gang operated in areas such as Bhanwarkuan, Rajendra Nagar, and Dhamnod in Dhar district.
According to police station in-charge Rajkumar Yadav, a special team was formed to tackle the rising number of vehicle thefts. The team acted promptly upon receiving intelligence about Karma’s whereabouts and managed to arrest him.
The accused disclosed that the gang conducted daytime reconnaissance and carried out thefts during the night. Stolen bikes were then hidden or sold in various locations, including Nashik in Maharashtra and Sendhwa, Barwani, and Pansemal in Madhya Pradesh.
A manhunt is underway for other gang members — Laxman Baghel, Deepak Baghel, and Sunil Baghel, all residents of the Bagh area in Dhar district.
Meanwhile, four people who bought the stolen motorcycles were also arrested. They were identified as Rohit Vaikar, Golu Pawar, Yash Dawar (all from Barwani), and Bhavesh Ahirav from Maharashtra.
So far, police have recovered 10 motorcycles and expect to trace at least 10 more based on leads provided by Karma.
