Nagpur: In a major breakthrough, the Crime Branch’s Anti-Housebreaking Squad of Nagpur Police has dismantled an inter-state mobile theft racket and seized stolen smartphones collectively valued at ₹12.11 lakh. Ten accused have been arrested in connection with the case.
According to police sources, the case originated on December 9, 2025, around 8.30 pm, when complainant Satish Banshi Gaure (39), a resident of Koradi Naka, parked his vehicle at Nirmal Ganga Complex near Gittikhadan Chowk under the jurisdiction of Gittikhadan Police Station. While he briefly stepped into a medical store, an unidentified thief allegedly stole his Vivo Y35 mobile phone worth ₹7,000 from his pocket. Based on his complaint, a case under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered against unknown persons.
Raid in Yashodhara Nagar Leads to Big Catch
During parallel investigations, officials from the Crime Branch received credible intelligence that several suspected mobile thieves were staying in a rented accommodation at Kinkhede Layout, Shahu Mohalla, under the limits of Yashodhara Nagar Police Station. Acting swiftly, the team laid a trap and conducted a raid in the presence of panch witnesses.
The operation led to the detention of ten accused, most of whom are residents of Jharkhand and Bihar. Upon searching the premises, police recovered 40 Android smartphones of various brands including Vivo, Oppo and Apple from their possession.
The Accused Identified
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Mohd. Shahbaz Raza Mohd. Ansar Khan (23)
- Sheikh Talim Sheikh Ayyub (27)
- Sheikh Ramzan Sheikh Rabbul (30)
- Mohd. Imam Mohd. Zuber Sheikh (21)
- Mohd. Muntajir Mohd. Saudagar (19)
- Mohd. Shahid Afridi Mohd. Sultan (21)
- Mohd. Arbaz Sheikh Naushad (21) — all residents of Motijharna, Maharajpur, Sahibganj district, Jharkhand
- Mohd. Dildar Sheikh Naim (19)
- Vijaykumar Satyanarayan Rikhyasan (25) — both residents of Naya Tola, Maharajpur, Sahibganj district, Jharkhand
- Sheikh Ajmer Sheikh Jimal (20), resident of Mednipur, Manihari, Katihar district, Bihar
During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to stealing mobile phones from various parts of Nagpur city, rural areas, and nearby districts.
Police Custody Till February 16
All ten accused have been formally arrested in the Gittikhadan police case and were produced before court, which granted police custody remand till February 16, 2026. Further investigation is underway to ascertain their involvement in additional theft cases and to identify possible receivers of the stolen property.
The successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Vasant Pardeshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Rahul Makanikar, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Abhijit Patil, along with senior officers and staff of the Crime Branch Anti-Housebreaking Squad.
Police officials stated that sustained surveillance and coordinated intelligence inputs played a crucial role in busting the organised inter-state gang, bringing significant relief to citizens affected by rising incidents of mobile theft across the city.
