The Kalyan unit of Thane Police Crime Branch on Thursday arrested four members of the notorious Irani and Shikligar gangs, active in Thane and Navi Mumbai. Stolen goods worth Rs36.29 lakh, including gold ornaments and six cars, were recovered from various locations across Mumbai and nearby districts.
“The Irani and Shikligar gangs have a history of chain snatching and house break-ins,” a police officer said. “Shikligar gang members typically use stolen motorcycles to conduct detailed reconnaissance of residential areas. In a single night, they can break into five to six houses efficiently and quickly.”
Using technical surveillance and local intelligence, the crime branch launched a targeted operation to track the habitual offenders. Four key members were arrested from different states: Waseem Yusuf Ali Sayyed alias Wasim Kala (30) of the Irani gang, and Kauser Yusuf Ali Jafri alias Bushi (33), Shivasinh Amirsingh Bawri (25), and Poonam Kaur Amirsingh Bawri (37) of the Shikligar gang.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to 29 criminal cases across Thane and Navi Mumbai police commissionerates, including one dacoity, 20 chain snatchings, five vehicle thefts, and three house burglaries. The cases spanned police stations including Rabodi, Thane Nagar, Wagle Estate, Kalwa, Mumbra, Chitalsar, Shivajinagar, Badlapur East & West, Ambernath, Tilaknagar, Kolshewadi, Dombivli, Hill Line, Manpada, Kamothe, and Kalamboli.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amarsingh Jadhav said, “We have been tracking these gangs for weeks. Their arrests not only solved several open cases but also disrupted their operations, sending a strong message to habitual offenders.”
