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.

More than 84 days after a high-profile robbery at the Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple in Bhilai’s Sector-6 area, police are still struggling to identify or arrest the culprits. The incident, which took place on the night of February 26, 2026, shocked the entire city due to its bold execution and the level of planning involved. Despite extensive investigations, multiple police teams, and interstate searches, no significant breakthrough has been achieved so far.

The robbery occurred in what was considered a secure and well-monitored locality. Following the incident, police formed several specialized teams to investigate the case. Early findings suggested that an external criminal gang might be involved. Investigators suspected the involvement of interstate groups operating from states such as Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar.

One of the investigation teams even traveled to Vaishali district in Bihar after receiving inputs about possible links. However, despite these efforts, the suspects remain untraceable. The case has now become one of the most challenging unresolved robbery investigations in the region.

According to officials, while police have managed to arrest individuals involved in smaller theft cases in recent weeks, the masterminds behind this major temple robbery continue to evade capture. This has raised concerns among locals and temple authorities about the slow progress of the investigation.

The incident involved a well-coordinated attack by a group of masked criminals. As per the complaint filed by temple security personnel, the accused struck between 2:15 am and 3:00 am after the temple was closed for the night. The priest had left the premises earlier in the evening, leaving only a guard on duty.

The attackers reportedly overpowered the guard, tied his hands and feet with nylon ropes, and covered his eyes to prevent identification. They also restricted his movement and silenced him to avoid alerting nearby individuals. After securing the guard, the group entered the temple premises and carried out the robbery for nearly one hour.

During this time, the thieves targeted valuable items including silver ornaments, ritual utensils, and offerings stored inside the temple. The stolen items included silver footwear offered to the deity, ceremonial plates used for aarti, silver glasses, kalash vessels, spoons, decorative umbrellas, incense holders, and gold-plated sacred ornaments. The gang also stole cash from donation boxes.

In a calculated move to erase evidence, the attackers removed the CCTV Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the premises before fleeing. This has significantly complicated the investigation, as no direct surveillance footage of the crime is available.

The robbery was discovered when a night watchman from a nearby building heard unusual sounds and alerted others. By the time assistance arrived, the criminals had already escaped from the rear side of the temple. Local priests and residents were immediately informed, following which police were notified.

Senior police officials, including the district superintendent at the time, visited the crime scene shortly after the incident. Forensic teams, dog squads, and crime investigation units were deployed to collect evidence. Several individuals were questioned, and possible leads were explored, but none have led to the identification of the accused.

Investigators believe the operation was carefully planned and executed by an experienced gang familiar with temple security patterns. The fact that the DVR was stolen suggests that the criminals had prior knowledge of surveillance systems and intended to avoid leaving any digital trace.

Despite months of investigation, the case remains unresolved. Police officials have stated that the inquiry is ongoing and all possible angles are being examined. Efforts are being made to trace interstate criminal networks that may have been involved in the robbery.

Local residents and temple authorities have expressed concern over the delay in solving the case. The temple, which is a place of worship for thousands of devotees, remains on high alert since the incident. Security has since been strengthened, but the lack of arrests continues to raise questions about law enforcement effectiveness.

Authorities maintain that breakthroughs can still be achieved as the investigation progresses. However, the Bhilai Sai Temple robbery case remains a stark reminder of the challenges faced in tackling organized crime and temple theft incidents.