Gujarat Police arrest 'Madari Gang' kingpin after 10 months on the run
Synopsis
Ahmedabad's Local Crime Branch nabbed the self-styled kingpin of the 'Madari Gang' — a man with nine prior arrests across Gujarat — just days before the Rath Yatra, capping a 10-month manhunt. The arrest underscores how pre-festival security drives are increasingly being used to clear the decks of long-pending fugitive cases.
Key Takeaways
Ahmedabad Police LCB Zone-7 arrested alleged 'Madari Gang' kingpin Amarnath Padhiyar , alias 'Madari', on 13 July .
Padhiyar, 37 , had reportedly been absconding for 10 months and was wanted in three criminal cases in Rajkot and Valsad.
He had previously been arrested in nine criminal cases across Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Navsari , and Mehsana since 2019 .
Pending cases are registered under BNS Sections 318(4), 61 , and 54 , covering cheating, theft, and criminal breach of trust.
The arrest was part of a special Rath Yatra security drive ordered by the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner .
Ahmedabad Police's Local Crime Branch (LCB) Zone-7 on Monday, 13 July arrested the alleged kingpin of the notorious 'Madari Gang', a habitual offender wanted in three criminal cases across Gujarat who had reportedly been absconding for 10 months. The arrest was made as part of a special pre-Rath Yatra drive to apprehend fugitives and reinforce law and order across the city.
Who Was Arrested
The accused has been identified as Amarnath Padhiyar, alias 'Madari', 37, a resident of Bholeshwar Society in Himatnagar, Sabarkantha district, originally from Ganeshpura village in Dahegam taluka, Gandhinagar district. According to police, Padhiyar has a criminal record stretching back to 2019, with cases registered across Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Navsari, and Mehsana. He had previously been arrested in nine criminal cases in different districts of Gujarat before going into hiding.
How the Arrest Was Made
Deputy Commissioner of Police Shivam Verma had directed police stations under Zone-7 and the LCB to intensify efforts using human intelligence and technical surveillance to trace wanted offenders. Acting on those instructions, a team led by PSI H.D. Vaghela — supported by ASI Nasrullakhan, Head Constable Mahendrasinh, and Police Constable Irfanbhai — received specific intelligence and apprehended Padhiyar from the Sarkhej police station area on Sunday.
Cases Against the Accused
Padhiyar was reportedly wanted in three pending cases — two registered at Gandhigram and Pradhyuman Nagar police stations in Rajkot city, and one at Valsad Rural police station. The cases have been filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 318(4), 61, and 54. His alleged offences span cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft, and related charges under both the Indian Penal Code and the BNS.
The Rath Yatra Security Drive
The operation was part of a broader directive from the Ahmedabad Police Commissioner and the Joint Commissioner of Police (Sector-1) to prepare a special action plan targeting absconding accused ahead of the Rath Yatra. Authorities said the aim was to ensure the festival is conducted peacefully while deterring criminal activity and strengthening public safety. Notably, this is not the first time Gujarat Police have launched pre-festival crackdowns — similar drives have preceded major public gatherings in recent years. Legal proceedings against Padhiyar are now underway, and police say further action is being initiated in connection with the pending cases.
Point of View
But the real question is systemic: how does a man with nine prior arrests across multiple Gujarat districts manage to evade police for ten months? Pre-festival crackdowns produce visible results, but they also highlight the gaps in routine fugitive tracking that allow habitual offenders to resurface repeatedly. Gujarat Police's reliance on human intelligence for this arrest — rather than a continuous surveillance mechanism — suggests that inter-district coordination on wanted offenders still has room to improve. The Rath Yatra deadline created urgency; ideally, that urgency should not be a prerequisite.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Amarnath Padhiyar, the 'Madari Gang' kingpin arrested in Ahmedabad?
Amarnath Padhiyar, alias 'Madari', is a 37-year-old habitual offender from Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, with a criminal record dating back to 2019. He had been arrested in nine prior cases across Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Navsari, and Mehsana before allegedly absconding for 10 months.
What cases is Amarnath Padhiyar wanted in?
Padhiyar was wanted in three pending cases — two at Gandhigram and Pradhyuman Nagar police stations in Rajkot city, and one at Valsad Rural police station. The cases are registered under BNS Sections 318(4), 61, and 54, covering cheating, theft, and criminal breach of trust.
Why did Ahmedabad Police launch a special drive to arrest fugitives?
The Ahmedabad Police Commissioner and Joint Commissioner of Police (Sector-1) ordered a special action plan ahead of the Rath Yatra to apprehend absconding accused and strengthen law and order. The aim was to ensure the festival is held peacefully and to deter criminal activity.
How was Amarnath Padhiyar tracked down and arrested?
A team led by PSI H.D. Vaghela, acting on intelligence gathered through ASI Nasrullakhan, Head Constable Mahendrasinh, and Police Constable Irfanbhai, located and apprehended Padhiyar from the Sarkhej police station area. The operation combined human intelligence with technical surveillance.
What charges does Amarnath Padhiyar face?
Padhiyar faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita including Sections 318(4), 61, and 54, as well as earlier cases under the Indian Penal Code. His alleged offences include cheating, criminal breach of trust, and theft across multiple Gujarat districts.
