Mumbai: Police stir controversy by labelling arrested thieves Gujarati Gang

All three accused in custody of the police. Pic/Hanif Patel

The Virar police recently arrested a gang involved in multiple housebreaking cases, naming them the Gujarati Gang. However, this sparked outrage among the Gujarati community, who demanded action against the officer for linking theft with Gujaratis. According to the cops, most of the gang members hailed from Gujarat, which led to the naming. Despite objections, the Virar police persisted in using the name Gujarati Gang.

The accused individuals include Deepak Bhakiyadar alias Bobdya, 28, from Uran; Mohammad Tarikh Khan alias Tinkal, 32; and Dharmendra Pashwan, 35, both from Vapi, Gujarat. Police recovered gold jewellery, mobile phones, and cash from them.

BJP leader Manoj Barot expressed concern about the matter, saying, "Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is Gujarati, our Home Minister Amit Shah is also Gujarati. Then how could this officer label a gang as the Gujarati Gang? Criminals are not related to any specific community."

The press release of Virar police naming the accused as Gujarati Gang. Pic/Hanif Patel

Barot added, "I will file a written complaint against the officer and demand strict action for naming a theft gang as a Gujarati gang. In the video, he clearly stated the same."

Hemraj Shah, founder and president of Mumbai Brihan Gujarati Samaj, said, "Criminals do not represent any community. Police should not compare them with the Gujarati community or any other community."

Jitendra Mehta, Gujarati Samaj president and trustee of Kathiywadi Jain Samaj of Ghatkopar, said, "The police should not associate accused individuals with any community. Criminals do not belong to any particular community. The officers should apologise."

Senior Inspector Vijay Pawar of Virar police station said, "It was a printing mistake in the press release. We did not intend to hurt any community's sentiments. All the accused are from Gujarat, which is why we named the gang the Gujarati Gang. We rectified it after receiving calls from local Gujarati people and leaders."

He added, "This gang is active in Gujarat, operating from Vapi, Silvassa, and many other places. Its members have been arrested earlier and are involved in more
than 13 cases in Gujarat. I apologise for the mistake in naming the gang."

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No. of people arrested