Police Arrest Key Middleman in Tricity Vehicle Theft Gang
Chandigarh police have made a significant arrest in their ongoing crackdown on vehicle thefts. They arrested Gurmeet Singh, also known as Kala, from Ludhiana. Singh acted as a crucial middleman for an interstate gang. This gang was responsible for a series of vehicle thefts across the Tricity region of Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula.
Wider Investigation into Sophisticated Network
The arrest follows a broader investigation into a sophisticated criminal network. This network allegedly funneled stolen cars through multiple states including Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. A district court remanded Singh to two-day police custody on Wednesday. Investigators are now working to recover vehicles based on his disclosures.
Special Investigation Team Leads Crackdown
A Special Investigation Team from the Sector-36 police station led the crackdown. Singh's arrest comes after the earlier apprehension of the gang's alleged kingpin. The kingpin is Delhi resident Deepak Khanna, who also goes by the alias Tushar. Police also arrested accomplices Akash Malhotra and Deepanshu. Authorities have already recovered five stolen vehicles linked to this group.
Police sources describe the gang's operations as extensive. Khanna allegedly oversaw thefts spanning from Delhi to the Chandigarh capital region. His criminal history is particularly notorious.
Notorious Criminal History of Kingpin
Deepak Khanna is a high-profile figure in the criminal underworld. His record includes thirty-six cases of vehicle theft in Haryana. He also faces over fifteen cases in Delhi and eight cases in Chandigarh. Khanna was previously at the center of a legal controversy in 2014 involving the Chandigarh Crime Branch.
At that time, nine police personnel faced charges in Delhi. Khanna's wife alleged he was held for more than twenty-four hours without being produced in court. In a rare move during the current proceedings, the Sector-36 police returned Khanna to judicial custody a day earlier than scheduled. This happened despite initially being granted a two-day remand.
Mapping the Entire Supply Chain
The Sector-36 police station is currently working to map the gang's entire supply chain. A police spokesperson stated, "We are engaged in connecting the links of the entire network." Operations are ongoing to identify and arrest further buyers and associates. These individuals are involved in the interstate trade of stolen property.
This arrest marks a critical step in dismantling the gang's operations. Police continue their efforts to recover more stolen vehicles and bring all involved to justice.
