New Delhi: Police have busted a major carjacking and vehicle theft racket operating across Delhi-NCR, allegedly led by gangster Pandey, who is linked to over 100 car thefts between 2015 and 2018.
Accused Arrested
Five active members of the gang have been arrested and chargesheeted under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA):
Pandey (gang leader)
Kapil Chitania
Vijay Farmana
Sumit Vakil
Chander Shekhar Gupta
Absconding Accused
Dare Mada Yangda
Yusuf Ali
Both have been declared proclaimed offenders, and police have sought trial in absentia.
Modus Operandi
According to investigators:
The gang targeted luxury vehicles across Delhi-NCR
Stolen cars were transported and disposed of in Arunachal Pradesh and other northeastern states
Key associates handled the receiving and resale of stolen vehicles
Criminal Background
Police revealed that Pandey has been running an organised crime syndicate for over a decade and has a record of more than 45 criminal cases, including:
Murder
Kidnapping for ransom
Robbery
Offences under the Arms Act and NDPS Act
Financial Trail
During the probe, police identified a property in Lucknow purchased in the name of Pandey’s father. Investigations showed that:
Around Rs80 lakh used for the property and construction
Funds were allegedly sourced from proceeds of crime
Legal Action
Charges have been framed by the MCOCA court at Patiala House
The case is being pursued under organised crime provisions
Police said the crackdown marks a significant step in dismantling a long-running interstate vehicle theft network.
