Chhota Rajan gang member held in Surat after 28 years on run

Surat: The Mumbai Police crime branch today apprehended Sabir Barkatali Lakhani, a 59-year-old member of the Chhota Rajan gang, here in city in connection with a 1994 attempted robbery case. The accused had been evading capture for the past 28 years.

According to a police officer, Lakhani and four of his other accomplices entered a real estate broker’s office at Sindhi Camp in Chembur in the year 1994 with the intent to carry out a robbery. During the attempted robbery, the accused also assaulted an on-duty Mumbai Police officer.  Multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 399 (preparation to commit dacoity) and 307 (attempted murder), were invoked against them, leading to their arrests.

A local court sentenced them to five years in prison. Later, three of the five arrested individuals were involved in encounters with the police, while two, including Lakhani, went into hiding a year later in 1995.

After receiving a tip-off that Lakhani was in Surat, the Mumbai Police crime branch set up a trap and apprehended him on Saturday. He is facing numerous criminal charges, including in Gujarat,” an official stated. DeshGujarat