Ahmedabad: The Vejalpur Police, in a joint operation with the Zone-7 Local Crime Branch (LCB), arrested notorious gangster Azharuddin ‘Ketli’ Ismailbhai Sheikh, the alleged leader of the Ketli Gang, from the Vejalpur–Juhapura area on Monday, police said.

Police said Sheikh, known for his violent criminal background, has 21 serious criminal cases registered against him. These include four cases of attempt to murder under Section 307 of the IPC, extortion and robbery offences, three cases under the Arms Act, two cases of housebreaking, and charges under the Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime (GujCTOC) Act, which were invoked against him in 2021.

According to officials, Sheikh was released on conditional bail in December 2023, but his bail was cancelled by the court in October 2024 after he violated the stipulated conditions. Since then, he had been absconding for nearly one and a half years.

During the period of evasion, the gangster reportedly kept shifting between Bharuch and Kheda districts, frequently changing his hideouts. Police said he deliberately avoided using regular mobile numbers and instead relied on e-SIM cards to evade electronic surveillance.

During the arrest, police searched his vehicle and recovered ₹16.50 lakh in cash along with 51 foreign currency notes. Two mobile phones were also seized, including a gold-plated handset, the authenticity of which is currently under verification.

Preliminary inquiry suggests that the seized cash may have been obtained by selling his mother’s jewellery, though officials said a detailed investigation is underway to determine whether the money has links to extortion or other criminal activities.

Investigators are also examining the possible involvement of Sheikh’s brother Sarfaraz Ketli, his mother, and his wife, whose roles are under scrutiny for allegedly providing assistance during his time as a fugitive. Further investigation is in progress, police added. DeshGujarat