Rajkot Crime Branch Cracks ₹73 Lakh Titan Showroom Theft: Chadar Gang Member Arrested at Nepal Borde

The Rajkot Crime Branch has successfully solved the sensational theft of 102 luxury watches and ₹4 lakh cash from the Titan Company’s showroom near Trikon Bagh, Rajkot, totaling approximately ₹73 lakh.

Upon investigation, it was revealed that the infamous Chadar Gang from Ghodasan, Motihari district of Bihar, was behind the robbery. Acting swiftly, a team from the Crime Branch traveled to Bihar and Nepal to track down the gang. After an intensive search, the police arrested Sagrit, one of the five gang members, near the Nepal border, recovering 21 stolen watches worth ₹6.29 lakh. Efforts are ongoing to capture the remaining four culprits.

Inside the Crime: How the Theft Was Orchestrated

Investigations revealed that Rakesh Pandit, employed in a company in Kutch, Gujarat, masterminded the plan. He called his younger brother Govind Pandit, an experienced thief, along with their associates from Bihar to Rajkot. After two days of reconnaissance, they executed the theft on April 17, 2025, at Titan’s showroom.

The group managed to lift the shutters and steal 102 branded watches worth ₹68.83 lakh and ₹4 lakh in cash — all within 20 minutes, as captured on CCTV footage.

The Police Chase Across 2500 KM

Following the crime, Rajkot Police formed special teams from the Crime Branch, Division A, and LCB. Tracking the culprits through CCTV footage, technical surveillance, and human intelligence, the police traced the gang’s movements:

• From Rajkot’s Hospital Chowk to Greenland Chowk
• Then to Limdi Hotel
• Ahmedabad Railway Station → Ajmer Railway Station → Delhi
• From Delhi, three members fled to Nepal, while others scattered

The Rajkot Crime Branch team, led by PSI A.N. Parmar and M.K. Movaliya, traveled over 2500 kilometers, staying undercover in Bihar. They disguised themselves as chefs and peddlers in the villages near the Nepal border. Their patience paid off when they nabbed Rakesh Kumar Pandit from Daroga Tola, Motihari, recovering 21 stolen watches.

Modus Operandi of Bihar’s Infamous Chadar Gang

The Chadar Gang, often referred to as the “Shutter Tod Gang”, operates with a unique method:

• They cover shops with sheets (“chadar”) before a heist.
• Wrestler-built gang members break or lift shutters.
• Thin-built “players” slip inside, smash display cases, and rapidly fill bags with watches, mobiles, and jewelry.
• They always strike between 3 AM to 5 AM and escape quickly — often fleeing across the India-Nepal border.
• The “boss” or “Shethji” funds the gang’s activities and operations.

Interestingly, gang members are in constant touch with families during the day. However, if they miss their evening call, families understand that something might have gone wrong.

Ongoing Investigation

Police continue their efforts to apprehend the other gang members: Govind Chaudhary, Shriram Rameshwar, Jitendra Shankar, and Bindeshwari Jagdish, all hailing from Bihar.

This daring operation was carried out under the guidance of Rajkot Crime Branch PI Mehul Gondaliya and M.L. Damor, showcasing the commitment and strategic brilliance of Rajkot Police.