Haryana gang behind robbery on board Bandra-Jaipur Express, say police

The Railway Police’s Local Crime Branch (LCB) have cracked the Bandra-Jaipur Express robbery case that took place last week between Goregaon and Jogeshwari stations in Mumbai. Investigations have revealed the involvement of Haryana’s notorious ‘Fasi’ gang. The LCB have arrested one of the gang members and are on the lookout for the rest, said senior inspector Vijay Khedekar of LCB. The team used CCTV footage and field intelligence to track the suspects.

According to sources, the incident occurred last week when Ayub Khan, 36, a construction businessman residing in Jogeshwari, was returning to Mumbai from Rajasthan on the Jaipur-Bandra Terminus Express with his wife, Heena, 30. Their two young children were travelling on an air-conditioned (AC) coach compartment and were to alight at Andheri.

After the train crossed Borivli and slowed down, four unidentified men dressed in khaki shirts and trousers approached Hina and told her to move the family’s luggage to the doorway, stating that Andheri station was approaching. One of the accused also helped her shift the luggage. The compartment was nearly empty at the time as most passengers had alighted at other stations.

Khan, who was in the washroom in the meanwhile, saw three other men standing near his luggage. He felt something amiss and told the accused to step aside. At this point, one of them pulled out a knife and threatened him. However, he and his wife resisted and fended off the robbers.

While Hina tried to grab one of the robbers, Khan physically confronted another one. Despite their efforts, the robbers managed to flee by jumping off the train between Goregaon and Jogeshwari stations. However, they succeeded in snatching away a trolley bag from the couple. It contained jewellery and valuables worth Rs 7 lakh, including cash worth Rs 1.5 lakh in Indian currency and another 1 lakh in Saudi Riyals. The complainant also managed to snatch a bag from one of the accused. However, the bag contained some clothes and bundles of beedis, along with a packet of gutkha.

The Borivli Railway Police registered a first information report (FIR) under sections of the Railway Act against unknown people after the couple approached the police.

The brazen robbery aboard a moving train has triggered serious concerns, prompting the formation of multiple police teams to trace the culprits.

At the scene of the crime, the police discovered a tobacco packet and a bundle of beedis. The packet had Gujarati lettering, which led investigators to Surat for further inquiry.

Source