Ahmedabad Police invoke GUJCTOC Act against alleged ‘Chhara Gang’ involved in interstate robberies; two arrested

In a major crackdown on organised crime, the  Ahmedabad City Police has invoked provisions of the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GUJCTOC) Act, 2015 against members of the alleged “Chhara Gang”, accused of carrying out a series of robberies and thefts across Gujarat and outside the state.

DCP Zone -7 police official said two accused have been arrested under the stringent law following an extensive investigation into the gang’s alleged involvement in multiple crimes targeting Angadiya firm employees, businessmen carrying cash and motorists transporting valuables.

The arrested accused were identified as Pratik alias Andho Pravinbhai Panvekar, a resident of Chharanagar in Kubernagar, and Shankul Yogeshbhai Bhogekar, a resident of Sardarnagar area in Ahmedabad.

According to officials, the operation was launched under the directions of the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner and under the supervision of Zone-7 Deputy Commissioner of Police Shivam Verma.

Police said four members of the gang, including Panvekar, Shankul Bhogekar, Ajay alias Ajuba Gopalbhai Gagadekar and Vishal alias Bhavu Ashokkumar Tanwani, were earlier arrested by the Local Crime Branch of Zone-7 along with property linked to seven detected offences registered at different police stations in Ahmedabad.

Investigators said scrutiny of the accused persons’ criminal records revealed their alleged involvement in a large number of serious offences registered across Ahmedabad and even in Delhi.

Based on the findings, police prepared a proposal to invoke Sections of the GUJCTOC Act in connection with an offence registered at Ellisbridge Police Station under Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The proposal was later approved by the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner.

Further investigation is being carried out by Assistant Commissioner of Police A.B. Valand of M Division.

Police said the gang allegedly operated in a highly organised manner. The accused reportedly concealed their identities by wearing helmets, handkerchiefs and multiple layers of clothing while committing crimes.

According to investigators, the gang specifically targeted persons leaving Angadiya firms with large amounts of cash as well as motorists carrying valuables. In several cases, one accused would allegedly engage the victim in conversation while others broke open vehicle storage compartments or smashed car windows using tools before fleeing with the valuables.

Officials said the accused are allegedly linked to at least 30 offences registered across multiple police stations, including Ellisbridge, Sarkhej, Krishnanagar, Navrangpura, Odhav, Bopal, Naroda, Shahibaug, Wadaj, Rakhial, Vastrapur and Sardarnagar in Ahmedabad, apart from cases registered in Adalaj and North Delhi’s Kashmere Gate police station.

Police said the action under the GUJCTOC Act forms part of a wider strategy by the Gujarat government and police to curb organised criminal syndicates and maintain law and order in the state. Further investigation into the network and possible involvement of other associates is underway.