Member of Chhota Rajan gang, on run for 28 years, held in Gujarat in 1994 robbery bid case

financialexpress.com:

A member of the Chhota Rajan gang, who has been absconding for almost 28 years now, on Saturday has been arrested from Gujarat’s Surat in connection with a 1994 robbery attempt case. Mumbai police’s crime branch arrested Sabir Barkatali Lakhani (59), who resided in Antop Hill locality.

“In 1994, the accused, who was a member of the Chhota Rajan gang, along with four of his associates stormed into a real estate broker’s office at Sindhi Camp in Chembur carrying arms with the intention of committing robbery. During the incident, they also attacked an on-duty crime branch official as well,” a police official was quoted saying by PTI.

Five of them were arrested and a local court sentenced them to five years in jail.

“Three of the five arrested accused were in encounters with police, but two accused, including Lakhani, went absconding a year later in 1995. The court later issued a non-bailable warrant against them,” he said.

Acting on a tip-off that Lakhani was in Surat, a trap was laid and he was arrested from Gujarat.

A case was registered against them under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 399 (making preparation to commit dacoity) and 307 (attempt to murder). Criminal cases against him are registered even in Gujarat.

Investigation in the case is underway, police said.