Mohali, May 4: An inter-state gang accused of multiple armed robberies targeting migrant workers has been dismantled with the arrest of four of its members, police in Mohali announced Saturday.
The suspects have been identified as Satinder Singh, a resident of Mohali, and three others—Rohit Kumar alias Jaman, Moti, and Akshay—who hail from Karnal, Haryana.
According to Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Deepak Pareek, the gang systematically targeted laborers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. “They would prey on migrants in transit, especially those traveling alone, and rob them at gunpoint,” SSP Pareek stated.
The breakthrough came after a robbery complaint was filed by Zia-ul-Haq, a native of Uttar Pradesh, who was allegedly targeted by the gang on April 30. Based on his report, a case was registered at the Dera Bassi police station under Sections 309(4), 140(3), 351(1), 351(3), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
A special investigative team was then constituted under the supervision of SP Rural Manpreet Singh and Dera Bassi DSP Bikramjit Singh Brar.
Detailing the incident, SSP Pareek said that Zia-ul-Haq had hired a Hyundai Xcent taxi from Dera Bassi bus stand early in the morning, bound for Ambala railway station.
“Near Jawaharpur Chowk on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway, four unidentified men—including the taxi driver—held him at gunpoint and robbed him of ₹20,600 in cash, an ATM card, his mobile phone, and key documents,” Pareek explained.
The case prompted swift action following specific directions issued by DIG Ropar Range Harcharan Singh Bhullar to expedite the investigation.
In a follow-up operation, police took Satinder Singh to Phudha village on Saturday to recover a weapon allegedly used in the crime.
“During the recovery process, Satinder attempted to flee by jumping from a rooftop and sustained a fracture in his left ankle,” SSP Pareek said.
Authorities are continuing to probe the gang’s operations to determine the extent of their criminal network and identify any additional accomplices.
“We believe this group is linked to multiple such robberies across the Tricity area,” said a senior investigator. “Further arrests are likely as the investigation deepens.”
