City police have arrested a gang of 10 dacoits who were allegedly involved in a number of robberies.
They are said to have been involved in a recent armed robbery at the Satellite Club in Kumbalgodu in Kengeri, when about 15-20 people, armed with machetes, robbed over 30 people who were celebrating varshathodakku (the day after Ugadi). The dacoits had made away with at least `7.6 lakh and jewellery and even damaged club property to terrorise the members.
The police also believe that the gang was behind the Begur dacoity on March 28, when seven people, including a real estate broker, were attacked and robbed. The dacoits had allegedly barged into the broker’s office, fired two shots into the air and onto a car, before fleeing with cash.
According to the police, the gang is also involved in at least 30 other cases of extortion, including a burglary at a resort in Jigani, cine actor Harsha’s home in Jnanabharathi police station limits and armed robberies in Magadi Road, Chandra Layout and Chennammanakere Achukattu in the city. “These men, under the leadership of Kunigal Giri, were planning a bigger dacoity. They wanted the Prime Minister to know their names,” said Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar.
Seven members of the gang were caught on April 16 when the police, following a tip-off, found them while they were hatching a robbery at a recreation home in Hosakerehalli. Some of the dacoits, including Giri, managed to escape during that raid. On Wednesday, three others — Dhande Shivi (19), Rajanna (35) and Mahesh (21) — were arrested.
Police have also recovered weapons used by the gang, including a country-made pistol and machetes, apart from a Tata Indica car. Gold jewellery worth `5 lakh has been seized.
The Kingpin and His Story
The police believe he was released on bail in January after being arrested on various charges of extortion and dacoity in Bangalore city, Tumkur, Hassan, Dharwad, Bijapur and Belgaum. While housed in Bellary, he and a friend attacked a superintendent. He was then shifted to Bangalore Central jail.
During the arrests, the police also found Giri’s 27-page autobiography.
men in arms
Krishna alias KK (27) from Sunkadakatte
Range Gowda alia Abhi (28) from Ramanagaram
Ravi alias Gunda (27) from Tumkur
Ravish alias Jail Ravi (29) from Ramanagaram
Shashikumar alias Shashi (34), from Sunkadakatte
Appaji (30) from Sunkadakatte
Shivu alias Dhande Shivi (19) from Sunkadakatte
Rajanna (35) from Ramanagaram
Mahesh (21) from Sunkadakatte
Yallakaiyya (34) from Sunkadakatte
Modus Operandi
The gang, after deciding on their target, would arrive in bikes or cars, armed with machetes and knives. After breaking into the property and creating fear in the minds of the people, they would make away with cash and jewellery.