Crime branch nabs two Irani gang members, two others from Aurangabad

AURANGABAD: The crime branch has nabbed two members of the notorious Irani gang, along with a couple of riders, in the early hours of Sunday.
The gang members, who are criminals on police record, hail from Ahmednagar district and were arrested while they were moving in the city with an intent to commit dacoity.
The police have also seized a car with registration number MH-17-AA-795, a bike, sword, rope, chilli powder and other articles from the accused.
The accused have been identified as Fateh Shahnu Irani (52) and Barkat Ali Anwar Ali (25), both hailing from Srirampur in Ahmednagar district, car driver Santosh Mahadu Pawar (27) and bike rider Sandeep Jagannath Khandijod (24) of Nipani Wadgaon in Srirampur of Ahmednagar district. A local court on Sunday remanded them in two days of police custody.
The police said members of the Irani gang were known for committing chain snatchings and fleecing people by posing as cops.
Assistant sub-inspector (crime) Shaikh Arif said, "Fateh Irani is a hardcore criminal and has at least 10 cases against him in the city alone and was wanted for some time. These Irani gang members have innumerable cases against them not only across the state but also in other states."
Following a tip-off received by Shaikh, the crime branch laid a trap at Beed Bypass to nab the gang.
During interrogation, the gang members revealed that Santosh and Sandeep are experts in driving cars and bikes and cars and are paid Rs 2,000 for per round they make along with the gang members. They are paid the amount irrespective of whether the gang is able to commit any crime or not; if the gang succeeds in committing a crime, the drivers used to get an additional amount.
Besides, the gang used to take the entire responsibility of legal service required by these drivers in case they land in police net and also their families are taken care off when they are in police custody, the police said.
Officials said the practice of taking care of their accomplices is attracting more people to the gang, and that the Irani gang members are working with non-members , they said.