Key accused Mohammad Nasir Hussain, arrested from Uttar Pradesh, confesses to burglaries across multiple states; police used disguises to track down the gang.

Gang Used Hospital Parking as Safe House

A sophisticated inter-state burglary gang that operated between Raipur and Bhilai-Durg has been busted after Durg Police remanded the alleged mastermind and extracted crucial confessions, officials confirmed. The accused, Mohammad Nasir Hussain alias Anas Khan, revealed during questioning that stolen tools and the gang's vehicle were being concealed in the parking lot of Raipur's Mekahaara Hospital complex — a busy public space deliberately chosen to avoid suspicion.

Acting on the disclosure, a police team accompanied the accused to the location and recovered specialised burglary tools stashed beneath the seat of an Activa scooter (CG10 AG 4136), which was parked there routinely after each operation.

From Bhilai to Raipur, Back Before Dawn

According to investigators, the gang followed a calculated routine. Members would ride the Activa from Raipur to Bhilai or Durg, carry out the theft, and return to Raipur the same night. The scooter would then be quietly parked at Mekahaara and the tools concealed inside it — keeping the gang's movements largely off the radar.

"They specifically used the hospital parking because of the constant footfall. A parked scooter there wouldn't draw attention for days," a senior police official said.

The gang's method inside targeted homes was equally methodical. They would first conduct reconnaissance of locked houses, vacant flats, and residential colonies. Once satisfied, they would break door locks to gain entry and use custom-fabricated tools to crack open almirahs and lockers inside.

Custom Tools, Made to Order

Among the items seized — spanners, screwdrivers, cutters, iron rods, and lock-breaking implements — investigators found several tools that were not off-the-shelf. Nasir Hussain admitted during interrogation that he had commissioned a local blacksmith to craft specific instruments designed for breaking heavy-duty locks, safes, and cabinet latches.

The recovery of these custom tools has given police a clearer picture of the gang's level of preparation and intent. Initial reports indicate that the tools had been used across multiple crime scenes.

Police Went Undercover to Reach the Mastermind

Tracking the gang was no straightforward exercise. Sources within the Durg Police said that officers adopted disguises at different stages of the investigation — posing as a goat trader and a census worker to gather intelligence without alerting the suspects. In one reported instance, a police team even conducted a mock goat sale in Delhi to maintain cover while gathering information on the accused's whereabouts.

Nasir Hussain was eventually arrested from Uttar Pradesh after a sustained surveillance operation across state lines.

Criminal Trail Across Multiple States

Interrogation has revealed a trail of offences stretching well beyond Chhattisgarh. The accused has confessed to involvement in thefts in Bhopal, Indore, Chhindwara, and Chandigarh. Police records confirm that cases against him are already registered at Govindpura and Kohefiza police stations in Bhopal, at the Bhopal Crime Branch, at Palasia police station in Indore, and at multiple stations in Chandigarh.

The breadth of his criminal record suggests the gang was active for a considerable period before Durg Police began closing in.

Investigation Ongoing

Durg Police said further questioning is underway to identify other members of the gang and determine the full extent of their operations in the region. Efforts are on to link the recovered tools and vehicle to specific unsolved theft cases across the states mentioned.