Mumbai: 15 held for brazen Malad heist charged with MCOCA

Shah after her arrest (right) Karima Mujeeb Shah, the Godmother of Ghatkopar

The Malad police on Saturday slapped charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against 15 individuals, including the infamous Godmother of Ghatkopar, Karima Mujeeb Shah, in connection with a high-profile robbery that occurred in Malad on August 28. The robbery involved a sum of Rs 75 lakh.

According to the Malad police, the crime occurred while two employees of a foreign exchange trading business were transporting the cash. It was revealed that one of them, Pratik Bhojne, was involved in the conspiracy, whereas the other employee, Ganesh Talwatkar, was unaware of the plot.

Day of the robbery

As per the police, when the two individuals reached Marve, five of the accused on two motorcycles began following their auto. Three of the accused, riding a motorcycle, stopped the vehicle, while another accused brandished a knife and snatched the bags of cash from Bhojne and Talwatkar and escaped.

Some of the accused, who were nabbed initially

After analysing CCTV footage from nearby roads and establishments, the police determined that the motorcycles proceeded towards SV Road from Marve. Subsequently, the authorities arrested 14 individuals from various parts of Maharashtra. During the investigation, it was discovered that a significant portion of the stolen money was transferred to Karima Shah, known for her network, which provides legal aid to hardened criminals.

Following the registration of a police case, it was discovered that Bhojne had planned the robbery and enlisted individuals with criminal backgrounds to carry out the crime. The police also apprehended six others, namely Akshay Gaikwad, Kunal Gaikwad, Naresh Rathod, Chhagan Gaikwad, Dinesh Indre and Vinod Anchalkhamb. These individuals, involved in assisting Bhojne with the planning, were arrested in Mumbai, Lonavala, Pune, Nashik, Raigad and Jalna.

Guided by DCP Ajay Kumar Bansal and ACP Renuka Bagde, with support from Senior Inspector Ravindra Adhane, Inspector Santosh Khandekar, and the detection staff, including API Sachin Kapse and PSI Shivaji Shinde, the accused were brought to justice while R50.94 lakh has been successfully recovered from their possession, according to an officer from the Malad police station.