Report: Manmeen Walia, New Delhi
The Crime Branch of Delhi Police (New Delhi Range, R.K. Puram) has successfully dismantled a notorious carjacking syndicate led by Sharad Pandey, a wanted and habitual offender with over 45 previous criminal cases.
So far, five active gang members have been arrested and charge-sheeted under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Two other accused, Dare Mada Yangda and Yusuf Ali, have been declared proclaimed offenders, and the Crime Branch has moved a request for trial in absentia before the court.
BACKGROUND OF THE GANG
Sharad Pandey, a bad character of PS Bindapur, was leading an organised crime syndicate that operated across Delhi and NCR for more than a decade, targeting luxury cars. The gang would carjack vehicles after kidnapping the drivers at gunpoint and then dispose of them in Arunachal Pradesh and other North-Eastern states.
The syndicate was run solely to gain illegal financial profits. After obtaining necessary approval FIR was registered at PS Crime Branch.
Investigation revealed that the gang was involved in several heinous crimes including murder, kidnapping for ransom, robbery, and contract killings.
A dedicated team of New Delhi Range, Crime Branch, R.K. Puram, under the close supervision of ACP/NDR, carried out a detailed investigation. The team successfully identified gang members and traced their links to the disposal of stolen cars in the Northeast.
ARRESTED ACCUSED PERSONS
1. Sharad Pandey – Gang leader, BC of PS Bindapur, involved in more than 45 criminal cases including murder, robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking.
2. Kapil Chitania – From Sonipat, Haryana. Involved in multiple carjacking cases. Reward of ₹50,000 by Delhi Police and two rewards of ₹25,000 by Haryana Police.
3. Vijay Farmana – From Sonipat, Haryana. Involved in several carjacking cases. Rewards of ₹50,000 and ₹10,000 by Haryana Police and ₹50,000 by Delhi Police.
4. Sumit @ Vicky @ Vakil – From Sonipat, Haryana. Involved in 10 heinous cases. Reward of ₹1,00,000 by Haryana Police.
5. Chander Shekhar Gupta @ Chandu – From Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Receiver of robbed vehicles; helped transfer proceeds of crime through various accounts.
6. Yusuf Ali – From Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Helped in receiving and disposing stolen cars in North-Eastern states (Proclaimed Offender).
7. Dare Mada Yangda – From Kurung Kumey, Arunachal Pradesh. Key receiver and dealer of stolen vehicles in the Northeast (Proclaimed Offender).
Investigation revealed that in 2018, a property measuring 1800 sq. ft. in Lucknow was purchased in the name of Sharad Pandey’s father. However, all payments and construction expenses — totaling approximately ₹80 lakhs — were actually made by Sharad Pandey using money from criminal proceeds.
An application has been moved before the court to impose an embargo on the property till the conclusion of the trial and for its eventual forfeiture.
CRIMINAL RECORD OF SHARAD PANDEY
Sharad Pandey has a long history of serious criminal activities since 2001, including cases registered in Vikas Puri, Janak Puri, Defence Colony, Ashok Vihar, Saket, Vasant Kunj, and other police stations across Delhi and Haryana.
He has been involved in more than 50 cases related to theft, robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, NDPS Act violations, and murders.
The syndicate also committed a triple murder, two double murders, and multiple cases of kidnapping for ransom and attempt to murder.
The arrested accused have been convicted in two major cases:
1. FIR No. 241/2018 – PS Vasant Kunj North, under Sections 365/394/395/397/201/34 IPC and 25/27 Arms Act.
2. FIR No. 245/2018 – PS Vasant Kunj North, under Sections 365/392/395/397/201/34 IPC and 25/27 Arms Act.
Conviction orders were passed by the court on 16.11.2024.
PROCLAIMED OFFENDERS
• Dare Mada Yangda – He played a key role in the gang. He helped receive and sell the stolen cars in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Yusuf Ali – He also helped in receiving and selling the stolen cars.
Both are wanted by police and have been declared proclaimed offenders.
The Crime Branch has asked the court to start their trial even though they are missing (trial in absentia).
Surender Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch, New Delhi), appreciated the dedicated efforts of the investigation team for their hard work and commitment in dismantling the notorious carjacking syndicate led by Sharad Pandey.
He also stated that “The Delhi Police Crime Branch remains firmly committed to breaking organised crime networks and protecting the lives and property of citizens. The excellent teamwork, strong coordination, and continuous efforts of the Crime Branch officers have once again demonstrated our determination to keep the city safe and free from organised crime.”
