Chaddi Gang strikes Vijayawada; police track gang members to Dahod in Gujarat

Vijaywada: The notorious Chaddi Gang is responsible for the recent spate of robberies in Vijayawada city. The Vijayawada city police said the gang is from Dahod in Gujarat.

On 9 December, CCTV footage of five members of the Chaddi Gang entering an apartment at Vasanth Nagar Colony in Poranki went viral on social media.

In the last 12 days, the gang has committed robberies in Guntupalli, Vasanth Nagar Colony, near CVR Flyover, and the Chiiti Nagar areas in the city. According to the city commissioner of police Kranthi Rana Tata, one of the Chaddi Gangs has been involved in three robberies, looting Rs. 10 lakh worth of gold and silver.

"These gangs wear undergarments and masks, cover themselves in oil or any slippery substances when committing the robbery. They travel in trains, take shelter in railway stations or slums. We have found that they are criminal tribes involved in robberies in many states," said Mr. Tata. One gang is committing robberies in Vijayawada, he added.

The Vijayawada police contacted the Gujarat police to seek help to trace the persons involved in the robberies. Special teams have been constituted by the Vijayawada police in Dahod to trace the gang and their movements.

Who are the Chaddi Gangs?

Chaddi Gangs, known as Kachcha Baniyan gangs in other states, always wear undergarments, masks, and cover themselves in oil so as to escape when caught. These gangs usually work in teams of five-six to commit burglaries at midnight. They always travel from one state to another state in trains, sleep in railway stations, or hide in nearby slums. During the daytime, they do a recce of locked houses and rob them at midnight. Before entering any house, they strip down to their undergarments and apply oil on their bodies. After committing the burglary, they go to a nearby railway station or slum area.