Chain-snatching gang busted:Criminals from Tamil Nadu targeted devotees in religious programmes

If you need to stop or bathe, look for a guesthouse where you don’t have to show an ID card. Do your makeup in a moving car… and prepare your getup according to the type of event. This is not a film script, but the actual strategy of a cunning chain-snatching gang, which the police have exposed. During the investigation into chain-snatching incidents that occurred during the arrival of Jain Muni Sudha Sagar Maharaj in Guna, the police have apprehended a gang from Tamil Nadu that operated from Delhi and targeted major religious events across the country. The women of the gang would enter the crowd disguised as devotees and, as soon as they got an opportunity, would steal women’s gold chains and disappear into the crowd. They would hide the chains in the car’s steering wheel and leave for Delhi. Details of many major events were also found on their mobile phones, meaning two members of the gang were responsible for preparing calendars of major events for the entire month. On June 3, two people reached the police station to report chain snatching Case- 1: Alka Jain reached Cantt Police Station and filed a report of chain snatching. She stated that she had participated in the procession of Jain Muni Sudha Sagar Maharaj on June 3. “Sandhya Jain was also with me. Both of us were wearing gold chains, weighing about 30 grams. During the procession, someone took advantage of the crowd and snatched the chain from my neck,” Alka said. Case- 2: Pradeep Saraf, a resident of Purani Galla Mandi, also lodged a complaint at the Cantt Police Station. He stated that on June 3, he had gone to welcome Muni Sudha Sagar Maharaj with his wife Anju Saraf. They were at Hanuman Chowk. There was a large crowd during the arrival of Maharaj Shri. During this, his wife’s gold chain, weighing about 15 grams, was stolen from her neck. Devotees from other districts besides Guna came to the Panchkalyanak festival On June 3, 2026, Munishri Sudha Sagar Maharaj was welcomed into the city. In welcome of Maharaj, the entire city was decorated like a bride. A grand programme was held at Hanuman Chauraha (Hanuman Square). The main event took place at Nasia Ji. During the five-day Panchkalyanak festival, a large number of devotees arrived here from Guna as well as other districts. During the event, more than 10 chain snatching incidents occurred at Hanuman Chauraha and Nasia Ji premises. When the matter reached the police, an investigation began. CCTV footage installed on the route was scanned, in which well-dressed women were seen committing the crimes. At Hanuman Chauraha, some men were also seen involved in suspicious activities. Based on CCTV footage and technical investigation, the police furthered their probe. It was revealed that several gangs had arrived in the city on the day of the event. Police received input that a gang involved in chain snatching during the procession had been caught in Dewas district. A team from Cantt Police reached Dewas, where four women and three men were found. The accused identified themselves as Ravi son of Raja (29), Devi wife of Ravi (40), resident of Nevsarai, South Delhi, Devendra son of Prakash (40), Jyoti wife of Sagar Anna Mankar (30), Magma wife of Changa (36), Jaya wife of Shivraj (55) and Rahul alias Vishal son of Nagia (30) resident of Ambedkar Nagar, South Delhi. The accused confessed to three chain snatching incidents that occurred in Guna. Three gold chains recovered, valued at ₹7.5 lakh Complaints of three people’s chains being stolen were reported in two FIRs registered at Guna Cantt Police Station. Police have recovered three gold chains from the possession of the accused, with an estimated value of approximately ₹7.5 lakh. Jaya is the gang leader; men prepare list of big events Police investigation has revealed that all the accused are originally from Tamil Nadu, but had been living in Delhi for a long time and running the gang. Jaya was in command of the gang. She would explain the entire strategy to the women and direct them for the crime. Magma, Devi, and Jyoti would work according to Jaya’s instructions. Ravi, Rahul, and Sagar, who were part of the gang, would gather information about major religious and social events happening across the country. For this, they would use YouTube and social media. Police have found information about several events happening across the country from the accused’s mobile phones. They would come from Delhi by car, enter the city by auto The accused stated that after getting information about an event, they would leave Delhi in Jaya’s car, reach the city where the event was to take place, but would park the car outside the city. After parking the car in the outskirts of the city, the women would reach the event venue by auto, while the men would stay near the car. After the incident, the women would again reach outside the city by auto and then leave in a car from there. All this was done so that the car would not be recorded by the CCTV cameras installed in the city. Bathed in Dharamshala, did makeup in the car Interrogation also revealed that the gang members did not stay in hotels because they had to provide identification. To avoid this, they would look for such Dharamshalas or places where they could stay for some time without an ID. Bathing and getting ready were done there. The women would do their makeup in the moving car and would wear a saree or suit according to the nature of the event and the local environment, so that they could easily blend into the crowd. Wherever they went for chain snatching, they were informed beforehand about the type of event and what their getup would be. Full kitchen in the car, cooked food on the way The gang members also carried gas cylinders, flour, pulses, spices, and other essential food items with them. After leaving Delhi, they would stop at a secluded or safe place on the way to cook and eat. After resting for a while, they would depart. They did all this to avoid going to hotels, because there was a risk of being caught on CCTV cameras there too. Also committed crimes in Bhedaghat, Agra, Gwalior According to the police, the gang carried out chain snatching incidents between June 3 and 10 in several cities including Agra, Gwalior, Shivpuri, Bhedaghat (Jabalpur), Guna, and Dewas. A list of upcoming religious events across the country has also been recovered from the mobile phones of the accused. Gorakhpur gang also active, police are searching The female members of the gang used to join religious stories, sermons, and processions as common devotees. As soon as the crowd grew, they would snatch gold chains from women’s necks and flee. The investigation also revealed that another gang, connected to Gorakhpur, was active in other chain snatchings that occurred during the festival. Police are searching for the gang. Guna Kotwali Police continues the investigation SP Hitika Vasal informed that seven accused arrested in chain snatching cases in Dewas district were presented in court by Cantt Police, from where they were sent to jail. After this, Guna Kotwali Police has taken the gang on remand for questioning in other chain snatching cases. They are being questioned in some cases registered in the Kotwali police station area.