Delhi cops bust gang using children in thefts at weddings
Luring poor parents through money, providing training to their children and making them mingle with guests at weddings – these tricks brought money on the table for the “Band, Baaja and Baarat” gang members who stole cash and valuables from marriages in Delhi.
The national capital witnesses wedding season twice in a year, once in February-March and then in November-December.
With several weddings occurring on same days during these months, the gang targets these venues and siphons off with gold, silver and cash.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police arrested four members of the gang, including a juvenile, officials said on Thursday. The police got a tip-off that some gang members would arrive at a bus stop near Shastri Park Metro Depot, leaving for their village in Madhya Pradesh (MP).
DCP (Crime Branch) Apoorva Gupta said during interrogation, gang members disclosed that they hailed from Gulheri in Rajgarh district of MP. “They would visit Delhi NCR and metro cities in North India during the wedding season to commit crimes.”
The DCP added that analysing the CCTV footage revealed that they spent a considerable time at the venue, making themselves comfortable and familiar with the guests.
“They were never in a hurry, had their dinner there and patiently waited for the opportune time to strike. They were well-dressed to mingle with guests and waited for the opportune time to strike.” the official said.
The kingpin of the gang disclosed its modus operandi and tricks they used to commit thefts. “In their village, they used to lure parents of children between the ages of nine and 15 by offering them Rs 10-12 lakh for a year. Once the deal got finalised, the money was handed over to the parents in two or more installments and the child would be hired for the theft for a year,” a police official said.
The children then were provided training for a month at a rented accommodation in Delhi. “They were trained on how to commit thefts at weddings and how to mingle with people at these venues. The kids are also made mentally and physically strong not to divulge their identity and that of their gang members in case they are apprehended,” the official further said.
The hired children were instructed to wear fancy clothes to attend the function and also eat the snacks to gel at the function and dispel any suspicion.
The police said the gang comprised adult men and women, who usually stayed in rented houses and dropped off the children at wedding venues, while sometimes waiting outside the venues on three-wheelers and motorcycles.
“Meanwhile, the women take care of the kids like their own and the real parents are even regularly informed about their children's well-being,” they said.
The DCP, further explaining the investigation, said the Crime Branch team was informed about these incidents and a team was constituted for the same. “The team analysed available video footages and deployed informers at various prominent banquet halls, farmhouses etc. The team then identified the three individuals and a juvenile.”
The three accused – Ajju (24), Kuljeet (22) and Kalu Chhayal (25) – have their families and children living in MP, while here they worked with a made-up family which was made to look real.
The three had been allegedly involved in a gold and silver jewellery theft at Blessing Banquet Hall, near Jhilmil Metro Station, while a theft of Rs 4-5 lakh, along with jewellery, was reported at Victoria Palace in Nangli and SK Mohit Banquet Hall in Jhilmil Industrial Area.
Cops recovered Rs 2,14,000, a silver anklet, four silver toe rings and a silver waist chain and a mobile phone from the gang members.
