Chamoli Police in Uttarakhand have invoked the Gangsters Act against an organised inter-state gang allegedly involved in pickpocketing and cheating pilgrims during the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, with the key accused arrested from Devprayag on 11 September 2026. The gang, reportedly operating across Rajasthan and Punjab, had systematically targeted devotees visiting Badrinath Dham and Kedarnath Dham.

How the gang leader was traced

The arrested accused has been identified as Sunil Kumar, a 26-year-old native of Bharatpur, Rajasthan, currently residing in Bathinda, Punjab. According to police, his arrest followed sustained technical surveillance combined with ground-level intelligence gathering over several weeks. Officers said they maintained continuous monitoring of suspects before zeroing in on Sunil Kumar's location in Devprayag.

Four gang members arrested earlier

Prior to Sunil Kumar's arrest, police had already apprehended four members of the gang. They were identified as Krishna Kumar, 28, a resident of Bathinda; Diya, 25, a resident of Mor Mandi in Bathinda; Sunil Kumar, 26; and Lalit Kumar, 31, a resident of Alwar, Rajasthan. During interrogation, police reportedly uncovered details of the gang's operations, revealing that members had targeted pilgrims not only around Badrinath but also in the Kedarnath corridor.

Gangsters Act invoked after detailed investigation

The initial case was registered at Kotwali Shri Badrinath on 27 April 2026 under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A separate case linked to similar incidents was also filed at Sonprayag police station. According to investigators, findings from both cases established the organised and inter-state nature of the criminal network. Chamoli Police subsequently prepared a detailed gang chart and obtained approval from the District Magistrate before initiating proceedings under the Gangsters Act.

Why pilgrim safety during Char Dham Yatra matters

The Char Dham Yatra draws lakhs of devotees each season to the high-altitude shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Heavy footfall at these pilgrimage sites, often in narrow and congested stretches, creates conditions that organised pickpocketing gangs reportedly exploit. This is not the first time inter-state criminal networks have been found targeting yatra routes — similar operations were dismantled in previous years as well, underscoring a recurring security challenge for Uttarakhand authorities.

What comes next

Police said the crackdown represents a significant step toward securing the pilgrimage corridor for the remainder of the 2026 Char Dham Yatra season. Further investigation is reportedly ongoing to determine whether the gang has links to similar criminal networks operating in other pilgrimage towns across northern India. Authorities have urged pilgrims to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.