Sambalpur Police on Wednesday arrested 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq, believed to be the mastermind of the infamous ‘Motu-Patlu’ burglary gang that operated across multiple Indian states including Delhi, Meerut, Rajasthan, and Odisha.
Akhlaq’s arrest has helped crack several burglary cases reported in recent months. The gang, known for targeting unguarded and CCTV-free homes, was involved in a wide network of high-profile thefts. Two of his accomplices are still absconding.
Interestingly, police revealed that Akhlaq would fly into different cities, commit burglaries, and swiftly exit the state to evade detection. Upon his arrest, officers recovered a pistol, several rounds of live ammunition, cutting tools, and lock-breaking equipment. A stolen motorcycle from Jharsuguda district was also seized from his possession.
The arrest followed a detailed investigation into a daring daytime robbery at the residence of Kailash Agarwal in April. The gang had looted gold and silver jewellery from the house. The police formed a special team to investigate the case, which eventually led them to Akhlaq.
A seasoned criminal, Akhlaq has been active in thefts since 1992 and has more than 40 criminal cases registered against him. These include cases across Delhi, Meerut, and Rajasthan, along with 11 in Odisha alone. His speed and precision in committing burglaries—often within 5 to 10 minutes—made him a feared name among law enforcement agencies.
Senior officers noted that the gang’s modus operandi was to identify isolated homes without surveillance and strike during daytime or when homeowners were away. After each burglary, they would promptly leave the state, making tracking difficult.
The investigation is ongoing to locate the other two gang members and determine the full extent of their crimes.
