The incident occurred on the night of December 24–25, when more than 10 armed criminals stormed Rajgarh’s Sarafa (jewellery) market located in the fort area. Armed with pistols, firearms, crowbars and slingshots, the gang broke into multiple shops, looting jewellery and cash worth nearly ₹14 lakh. Panic gripped residents as shots were fired during the escape, leaving an elderly trader seriously injured and three youths wounded.
According to police, the criminals first targeted the shop of jeweller Rajendra Vijayvargiya, stealing silver, gold and cash before smashing CCTV equipment. They then moved to Sri Bageshwar Jewellers and attempted to break into a licensed pawn shop, where 75-year-old Gopalchand Soni was attacked through the shutter with an iron rod. His alertness prevented a fatal outcome.
As residents raised alarms, the gang fled on stolen and numberless motorcycles, pelting stones and firing shots to deter pursuit. The nature of weapons and the use of slingshots led investigators to suspect the Pardi gang, known for operating across states and hiding in forests after crimes.
SP Amit Tolani said technical analysis, CCTV footage and informer inputs confirmed the gang’s movement towards the remote forests of Bilas Samarsingha in Guna. Under “Operation Special 75”, police teams from multiple stations launched an intensive search across nearly 20 kilometres of hilly, roadless terrain with no mobile connectivity.
Initially deploying 75 personnel, police later reinforced the operation with 150 more officers due to the risk of armed confrontation. Searches continued through cold nights and dense fog using torchlight. Early Monday morning, teams surrounded the hideout and conducted a raid, arresting three accused while others escaped under forest cover.
The arrested men were identified as Jiva alias Jeeva Pardi (42), Giriraj Pardi (23) and Chotu Pardi (20). During interrogation, they confessed to the Rajgarh crimes. Police recovered a gun, live cartridges, ₹30,000 cash, six motorcycles and burglary tools.
At the hideout, police found disturbing evidence of survival tactics. More than six wild boars were found slaughtered and hanging from trees, with bones scattered around. Investigators said the gang hunted animals for food to avoid contact with villages, consuming meat raw and cooked.
Police are continuing efforts to track down the absconding accused. Officials said the operation marked a significant breakthrough against an organised gang that had terrorised traders and villagers across the region.
