Coimbatore Police arrested three burglars linked to over 40 cases nationwide, uncovering a gang active for nearly 20 years across multiple states.
The Coimbatore City Police have arrested three burglars believed to be part of a major interstate gang involved in house break-ins, murders, attempted murders and organised crime across multiple states for nearly two decades. Police said the arrests were made on Friday after the trio broke into several homes in Kavundampalayam.
City Police Commissioner A. Saravana Sundar said the arrested men were linked to more than 40 cases registered across India, including in Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Noida, Haryana and Uttarakhand. Their criminal activities also fall under provisions of the Gangster and Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act and the Arms Act.
Leader with 30 prior cases operated without suspicion
Among those arrested was I. Kallu Arif (60), identified as the ringleader of the group. Arif, who walks with a cane, allegedly used his age and appearance to move through neighbourhoods without attracting suspicion. He would note the locked houses in residential clusters before alerting his associates.
Police said Arif has 30 criminal cases registered across different states, including murder, attempted murder and multiple house break-ins.
He was assisted by A. Irfan (48), who reportedly has 17 cases, including attempted murder. After Arif identified vulnerable homes, the two would break in during daylight hours and steal valuables.
Accomplice dies after police firing
The third accused, I. Asif (45), who had 11 prior cases, was waiting in an autorickshaw outside the housing unit during the Kavundampalayam break-ins. Police said Asif died in the hospital after suffering gunshot injuries when the trio attempted to flee during their arrest in the early hours of Saturday.
The other two accused sustained bullet injuries to the legs and are undergoing treatment at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital under police security.
Auto driver and others linked to operation
Commissioner Saravana Sundar said the investigation also uncovered the involvement of R. Ayub Khan (25), an auto driver from Sugunapuram near Kuniyamuthur. Police allege he transported the gang to the crime location and later helped them escape. Ayub Khan was arrested and lodged at Coimbatore Central Prison on Sunday.
Police added that Firiyan (23), the younger brother of Asif and a wanted accused in a UP murder case, had also been living with the group. The gang reportedly stayed in a house along with utensil traders, blending in with them before committing crimes and returning to their native state — a modus operandi they perfected over almost 20 years.
More arrests likely
The Commissioner said the gang operated mainly during the day and maintained a rotating presence across states to avoid detection. With information gleaned during interrogation, police expect to make more arrests as the investigation progresses.