The Local Crime Branch, Valsad Police, has successfully apprehended a member of the notorious “Irani Gang,” a criminal network allegedly involved in deceiving citizens by posing as police officers and stealing their gold jewellery.
The arrest was made following an extensive investigation into several jewellery theft cases reported in Valsad district and Maharashtra. Acting on reliable intelligence inputs and technical surveillance, the Local Crime Branch conducted an operation on Amalsad Road near the cremation ground in Bilimora, resulting in the apprehension of one suspect. During the operation, police also seized a Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle bearing registration number MH-02-GU-8722.
Modus Operandi
According to the investigation, the gang members allegedly approached unsuspecting citizens while posing as police officers. They would falsely claim that the victim’s gold jewellery needed to be checked or verified for authenticity.
Under this pretext, the accused would take the victim’s gold jewellery, place it inside a bag and create a deceptive situation involving counterfeit papers or documents. The genuine gold jewellery was allegedly replaced with fake or inferior-quality jewellery, after which the accused fled the spot with the original valuables.
In one such incident reported in Bilimora, the gang allegedly stole gold bangles and a gold chain worth approximately Rs. 3.57 lakh from a complainant.
Investigation and Arrest
The accused persons were allegedly selling the stolen jewellery at discounted prices to unsuspecting buyers at various locations in Valsad district, including areas around Bilimora and Vidhlavadi.
Through detailed technical analysis, surveillance and human intelligence, the police traced the movement of the motorcycle allegedly used in connection with the offences.
In coordination with the Maharashtra Police, the investigating team tracked and apprehended one suspect near Charoti Highway. Further legal proceedings have been initiated against the accused.
Identity of the Accused
The primary accused has been identified as:
Asadulla Faiaz Khan, age 47,
Resident of Ambedvali, Indranagar, near Railway Station, Zupadpatti, Kalyan, Thane, Maharashtra.
A case has been registered against him at Bilimora Police Station under Case No. 1182-2006-2614-56/2026, under Sections 319(2), 204 and 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code, 2023, as stated in the police records.
A related case has also been registered at Vidhlavadi Police Station, Maharashtra, under Case No. 0450/2026, under Section 303(2).
Other Cases Linked to the Accused
During the investigation, police found that the accused is allegedly involved in at least nine similar cases registered at various police stations in Maharashtra.
The cases have been registered at:
- Ambalavali City Police Station
- Dondia Police Station
- Nandurbar City Police Station
- Upnagar Police Station
- Devpur Police Station
- Chalisigaon Road Police Station
- Khadkpada Police Station
- Vasi Police Station
- Navghar Police Station
The offences registered in these cases reportedly include cheating, fraud and criminal intimidation.
Police Team
The successful operation was carried out under the supervision of State Police Commissioner Prem Veer Singh, IPS, and Valsad District Police Commissioner Yuvraj Singh Jadeja, IPS, with the active involvement of the Local Crime Branch, Valsad.
The investigating team included:
- Police Inspector A. U. Rozh
- Police Sub-Inspector J. B. Dhanesh
- Assistant Sub-Inspector Allarakh Ameerbbai
- Assistant Sub-Inspector Ajaybbai Amlabbai
- Police Constable Pankaj Rupabbai
- Police Constable Vivek Ghanshyambbai
Technical and operational assistance was provided by API Amul Jadav and the staff of Charoti Rafik Police Station, Maharashtra, along with personnel from Bilimora Police Station.
The investigation into the case is ongoing, and further details regarding the accused’s involvement in other offences are expected to emerge during the course of the investigation.
