Investigations by Madhya Pradesh Police reveal that major crimes—including impersonation of sales tax, customs, CBI and police officers—were planned inside the Aman Colony Dera. Operating with cartel-like discipline, teams were dispatched to different states for weeks or months, executing robberies and frauds with precision before returning the proceeds to Bhopal.
Police officials said all stolen money was deposited with the group’s leader, locally referred to as the “Sardar”. The Sardar decided the distribution of loot, arranged bail for arrested members, managed legal expenses and ensured financial support for families of jailed associates. Leadership within the Dera was decided by an internal council, with criminal history serving as the primary qualification for authority.
The Aman Colony Irani Dera is allegedly led by brothers Raju Irani and Zakir Irani. While Zakir is in custody, Raju has evaded arrest for years. During a police raid on December 28, chaos broke out in the colony, allowing Raju Irani to escape once again.
Police say the network’s footprint extends across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Delhi, among other states. Several police forces had been tracking Raju Irani for years. Despite the Dera being barely 12 years old, investigators have found properties worth several crores allegedly linked to him, along with evidence of laundering crime proceeds.
Family and marriage ties played a key role in strengthening the gang. These relationships enabled members to operate fearlessly across cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Raipur. Crime missions were referred to internally as “journeys”, with members travelling in luxury cars and high-end motorcycles. Two individuals were often assigned solely to transport stolen goods back safely.
The Dera first drew public attention in 2014 after violent clashes during a dispute over the construction of an Imambara, which left dozens injured and several houses torched. In later years, attacks on police personnel, including a knife assault on a Nishatpura constable, heightened security concerns.
Recent arrests, including 24 men and 10 women, and the exposure of a mobile phone smuggling route linked to Dubai have further revealed the scale of operations. Police say financial trails and interstate connections are still being examined, and efforts to arrest Raju Irani remain ongoing.
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