Gwalior Police Arrest ‘Bunty-Babli’ Duo for 57 Interstate Thefts

An interstate theft gang led by a husband-wife duo was busted by Gwalior police after committing 57 robberies across three states.

 In a major breakthrough, the Gwalior police have arrested a husband-wife duo responsible for a string of high-profile robberies across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. The couple, whose operations mirrored the cinematic 'Bunty-Babli' style, targeted 12 cities over several months, focusing exclusively on high-value assets like cash and jewelry.

Sophisticated Modus Operandi

The accused, identified as Arvind Rajak (32) and his wife Jyoti Rajak (30), reportedly executed their crimes with meticulous planning. To evade law enforcement and mislead investigators, the duo utilized three different motorcycles for a single operation.

According to officials, they used one bike for reconnaissance, a second to reach the target site, and a third as a getaway vehicle parked at a distance. This tactic ensured that CCTV surveillance across different districts never flagged a consistent vehicle, making tracking nearly impossible for months.

Series of Gwalior Heists

The investigation gained momentum following six consecutive robberies in the Maharajpura area of Gwalior. The sudden spike in daytime housebreakings had put local authorities under significant pressure.

"The suspects were highly calculated, conducting recce of vacant houses during the day and striking under the cover of darkness," a senior police official stated. The breakthrough came when investigators analyzed hundreds of hours of footage, eventually identifying a pattern in their movements despite the changing vehicles.

Strategic Role Distribution

Police sources indicated that Arvind was the primary executor of the break-ins, while Jyoti played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth escape. By traveling together as a couple, they frequently bypassed police checkpoints without raising suspicion.

This domestic "cover" allowed them to move stolen goods across state borders with relative ease. Sources added that the presence of a woman on the bike acted as a psychological shield, as patrolling units were less likely to intercept what appeared to be a regular commuting couple.

Extensive Criminal History

Arvind Rajak is no stranger to the legal system, with 56 cases of theft already registered against him in various districts including Jhansi, Sehore, Hoshangabad, and several cities in Gujarat.

While Jyoti had only one prior case registered against her in Jhansi, her active involvement in the Gwalior thefts has brought her under the full scanner of the law. This latest arrest is expected to solve dozens of pending cases across the interstate corridor.

Massive Recovery Made

Following the arrest, the police recovered a significant haul of stolen property. The seized items include two gold necklaces, two gold chains, four rings, and a pair of bracelets, totaling approximately 105 grams of gold.

The market value of the recovered jewelry is estimated at ₹15.75 lakh. Additionally, ₹2 lakh in cash was recovered from their possession, bringing the total valuation of the seized property to ₹17.75 lakh.

Judicial Custody Granted

ASP Vidita Dagar confirmed that the duo confessed to their involvement in the Maharajpura thefts during interrogation. The police are now shifting their focus toward identifying the network of receivers who helped the couple liquidate stolen jewelry.

The accused were produced before a local court on Sunday and have been remanded to judicial custody. This arrest marks a significant win for the Gwalior police in their ongoing crackdown on organized interstate crime.