Auto and e-rickshaw theft syndicate busted in Gwalior:11 from Bawaria gang arrested; all residents belong to UP-Rajasthan and Haryana

Dabra police in Gwalior have busted a group involved in thefts targeting autos and e-rickshaws across the Gwalior–Chambal region. On April 27, 11 suspects were arrested from Banmore in Morena district, including 3 men and 8 women. The accused hail from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Police said they are linked to the Bawariya community, though officials noted that “Bawariya” refers to a community name and not a gang. Dainik Bhaskar spoke with the SI of Dabra police station to learn about the gang. A shocking revelation emerged from this. This story has two parts. In the first part, you will read about a theft that occurred in an e-rickshaw in Dabra, the revelation of which led the police to the notorious gang. In the second part, we will tell the complete story of the gang. Part-1: Case uncovered through e-rickshaw theft On the evening of April 24, 2026, around 4:30 PM, Sub-Inspector Sanjay Sharma had just returned to Dabra police station when a woman named Radha Kori arrived crying. After giving her water, she explained that she was travelling to her maternal home by e-rickshaw. Two women already seated in the rickshaw had started a conversation with her. After getting off at the stop, when she checked her bag, the silver ornament and ₹2k kept in it were missing. The police immediately activated a team. Shortly after, information was received that the suspicious women were at the Pichor intersection. Within about an hour, the police caught both of them. During interrogation, they gave their names as Poonam Adivasi and Shanti Adivasi, residents of Morena. The stolen items were recovered from them. Gang’s hideout found in Banmore Initially, both women kept evading, but after the lady constable’s strictness, they gave information about the gang. The women said that they are members of the Bawariya gang. Their hideout is in Banmore, Morena, where other members of the gang live. After this, the SI informed SP Dharmveer Singh Yadav. On receiving instructions, the police team reached Banmore and arrested 9 more members on the night of April 27. Among them were 3 men and 6 women. The investigation revealed that the gang’s connections extended to several districts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Call details and location data also confirmed that gang members were present in the vicinity during the incidents. Separate leaders for men and women Police say that gang members are relatives of each other, which maintains trust. Men and women have separate leaders. The male gang is led by Wakeela alias Sonu Adivasi, who has arranged accommodation for everyone in Banmore. The female gang leader is Shantidevi, a resident of Agra. The gang works by splitting into small groups. Women conduct reconnaissance and theft, while men help in escaping. Being relatives reduces internal disputes The gang includes husbands, wives, brothers, sisters-in-law, daughters-in-law, aunts, nephews, and nieces. Being relatives reduces internal disputes, and members can remain active in different states. According to police, this same gang was behind the thefts occurring in e-rickshaws in Gwalior district. Part-2: Crimes, murders, and robberies across the Country This gang is active in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. They enter homes by making strange sounds or breaking doors and loot valuable items. They even commit murder if resisted. On June 7, 1995, in a case in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, the gang murdered a person after looting jewellery worth ₹50k and cash. Census describes Bawariya community as hunting community In the year 1881, the Bawaria community was described as a Hunting Community in the Indian census. They were placed in this category based on their method of hunting wild animals using traps. Author B. Dutt writes in his book ‘Livelihood Strategies of a Nomadic Hunting Community of Eastern Rajasthan’ that during the British period, over 200 communities were declared criminal under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871, among which the Bawaria community was one. Descended from Rajput lineage, became Scheduled Caste The book also mentions that the stigma has been attached to these communities since they were declared criminal. After this, they were placed in the Scheduled Caste category. The population of this caste, which descended from Rajput lineage, was 2.35 lakh in 2021. They originated from Haryana and Rajasthan. Goat decides whether to commit a crime or not Gang members worship their clan deity before committing a crime. The goat’s behaviour is used to decide whether to proceed. If the goat moves towards the deity, it is considered auspicious; otherwise, they postpone the plan.