Delhi Police bust Kachcha-Baniyan Pardi Gang; six held after shootout
Synopsis
Delhi Police's Anti-Auto Theft Squad cracked an inter-state burglary gang in a late-night encounter near Jahapanah Forest, arresting all six members of the Madhya Pradesh-based Kachcha-Baniyan Pardi Gang — including a declared rewarded criminal with bounties on his head. One bullet hit the team leader's bulletproof jacket; the gang had broken into a South Delhi home just days earlier while the residents slept.
Key Takeaways
AATS South District Police arrested six members of the Kachcha-Baniyan Pardi Gang on 3 May 2026 following an encounter near Jahapanah Forest, South Delhi .
Three accused — Nirmal (34) , Ambar (25) , and Samrat (30) , all from Guna district, Madhya Pradesh — sustained bullet injuries in their legs.
The gang had allegedly burgled a residence in Sarvodaya Enclave on the night of 1 May 2026 , stealing cash and jewellery.
Accused Ambar is a declared rewarded criminal with bounties of ₹500 and ₹10,000 ; Kakesh is reportedly wanted in a murder case.
Police recovered a semi-automatic pistol , two country-made pistols , specialised burglary tools, and the stolen jewellery .
Investigators are probing the gang's involvement in other cases across Delhi and multiple states.
The Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of South District Police, Delhi, on 3 May 2026, busted the notorious Madhya Pradesh-based 'Kachcha-Baniyan Pardi Gang' following a brief exchange of fire near the Jahapanah Forest area along the BRT Corridor in South Delhi. All six gang members, including a declared rewarded criminal, were apprehended; three sustained bullet injuries in their legs and were hospitalised.
The Malviya Nagar Burglary That Triggered the Operation
The operation traces back to the night of 1 May 2026, when unidentified burglars broke into a residence in Sarvodaya Enclave while occupants were asleep, making off with cash and jewellery. An FIR was registered at Malviya Nagar Police Station after initial investigation — aided by CCTV footage — revealed that three individuals had entered the house using specialised house-breaking tools, while three others stood by as backup in Vijay Mandal Park.
How the Trap Was Laid
Given the gravity of the offence, multiple teams comprising officers from the local police station, AATS, Special Staff, and ANS South District were constituted. Acting on specific intelligence, a dedicated AATS team laid a trap on the night of 3 May 2026 near the Jahapanah Forest area under the jurisdiction of Ambedkar Nagar Police Station. At around 12:55 am, the suspected gang members were spotted. When police signalled them to surrender, three of the accused opened fire. The police retaliated in self-defence, leading to a brief encounter. According to police, the accused fired six rounds, one of which struck the bulletproof jacket worn by the team leader; police responded with eight rounds before overpowering all six individuals.
Who Was Arrested
The three injured accused have been identified as Nirmal alias Nikhil (34), Ambar alias Davin (25), and Samrat alias Samar alias Kala (30), all residents of Guna district, Madhya Pradesh. The remaining three are Kakesh alias Kake alias Gujjar (24), Krish alias Deva (18), and a 17-year-old juvenile from Ratlam. Police records show Nirmal is linked to four previous cases including offences under the Arms Act, theft, and dacoity. Ambar, a declared rewarded criminal, reportedly carried bounties of ₹500 and ₹10,000 in separate cases registered in Madhya Pradesh. Kakesh is also reportedly wanted in a case involving charges of murder.
Arms, Tools, and Stolen Property Recovered
Police recovered a significant cache of burglary tools, including a hydraulic pressure cutter, steel bolt cutter, crescent wrench, heavy-duty screwdrivers, a Z-shaped iron rod locally known as 'Hathia special', an iron jali cutter, four catapults with around 50 stone pellets, and three torches. Arms seized included a semi-automatic pistol (7.65 mm) with live and spent cartridges, two country-made pistols (.315 bore), and a spring-actuated knife. Stolen jewellery from the Malviya Nagar burglary — including gold earrings, jhumkis, silver jewellery, gold ear tops embedded with precious stones, and a silver pendant — was also recovered.
What Happens Next
A separate case has been registered at Ambedkar Nagar Police Station under relevant sections of law. Investigators are now working to establish the gang's involvement in other criminal cases across Delhi and multiple states. Senior officials praised the coordinated effort, calling the operation a significant blow to an inter-state burglary syndicate that had been active across several regions. The investigation is ongoing.
Point of View
Specialised tools, a backup team stationed nearby — points to a level of operational sophistication that goes well beyond opportunistic theft. The fact that one member carried two separate bounties and another faces murder charges raises a pointed question: how long had this syndicate been operating across state lines before Delhi Police closed in? Inter-state gangs of this kind exploit jurisdictional seams between state police forces, and the Malviya Nagar burglary is unlikely to be an isolated incident. The ongoing probe into their activities across multiple states will be the real test of whether this arrest is a decisive blow or merely a disruption.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Kachcha-Baniyan Pardi Gang?
The Kachcha-Baniyan Pardi Gang is a Madhya Pradesh-based inter-state burglary syndicate known for breaking into homes at night while residents are asleep. The gang uses specialised tools and operates with a structured team, including members who enter premises and others who stand guard as backup.
What triggered the Delhi Police operation against the gang?
A burglary at a residence in Sarvodaya Enclave, South Delhi, on the night of 1 May 2026 triggered the operation. CCTV footage identified six suspects, leading to an FIR at Malviya Nagar Police Station and the formation of multiple police teams.
What happened during the encounter near Jahapanah Forest?
On the night of 3 May 2026, an AATS team intercepted the gang near the Jahapanah Forest area. Three accused opened fire when signalled to surrender; police retaliated in self-defence. The accused fired six rounds — one striking the team leader's bulletproof jacket — before all six were overpowered.
Who is the rewarded criminal among those arrested?
Ambar alias Davin (25), a resident of Guna district in Madhya Pradesh, is a declared rewarded criminal with bounties of ₹500 and ₹10,000 in separate cases registered in Madhya Pradesh.
What was recovered during the operation?
Police recovered burglary tools including a hydraulic pressure cutter and a 'Hathia special' iron rod, a semi-automatic pistol (7.65 mm), two country-made pistols (.315 bore), a spring-actuated knife, and stolen jewellery from the Malviya Nagar burglary case.
