Delhi Police bust ‘Band, Baaja and Baarat’ gang exploiting children to steal from weddings

Luring poor parents with money, providing training to young children, and mingling with guests brought financial gains to the “Band, Baaja and Baarat” gang, who stole cash and valuables from weddings in Delhi.

The national capital witnesses two wedding seasons annually, one during February-March and the other during November-December. With multiple weddings taking place simultaneously, the gang targeted these venues, making off with gold, silver, and cash. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police arrested four gang members, including a juvenile, officials announced on Thursday. Police received a tip-off that the gang members would arrive at a bus stop near Shastri Park Metro Depot, en route to their village in Madhya Pradesh.

DCP (Crime Branch) Apoorva Gupta said that during interrogation, the suspects disclosed that they hailed from Gulheri in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. “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 the guests and waited for the opportune time to strike,” the official said.

The kingpin furthermore disclosed small details or tricks they prescribed to commit theft. “In their village, they used to lure parents of children between the ages of 9 and 15 years by offering Rs 10 to 12 lakh for a year. Once the deal was finalised, the money was handed over to the parents in two or more instalments, and the child would be hired for the theft for a year,” a police official said.

The children were then provided with a month’s training at a rented accommodation in Delhi. “They were trained on how to commit thefts at weddings and how to mingle with the people at the 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 added.

The hired children were instructed to wear fancy clothes and eat snacks at the function to blend in and avoid suspicion. According to the police, the gang consists of adult men and women who rent houses and drop off the children at wedding venues. They sometimes wait outside on three-wheelers and motorcycles. “The women take care of the kids like their own, and the real parents are regularly informed about their children’s wellbeing,” the police said.

The DCP explained that the Crime Branch team was informed about the incidents and a team was formed to investigate. “The team analysed available video footage, deployed informers at prominent banquet halls and farmhouses, and identified three individuals and a juvenile.”

The three accused, Ajju (24), Kuljeet (22), and Kalu Chhayal (25), have families and children living in Madhya Pradesh, while they worked with a fake family in Delhi. They were allegedly involved in thefts at Blessing Banquet Hall, Victoria Palace, and SK Mohit Banquet Hall. The police recovered Rs 2,14,000 cash, a silver anklet, four silver toe rings, a silver waist chain, and a mobile phone.