Lady Gang” From Azamgarh Arrested in Shivpuri for Snatching Gold Chains at Bageshwar Baba’s Katha; Six Accused Women Held

Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, 29 November 2025: In a major breakthrough, Shivpuri police have arrested six women from Uttar Pradesh who formed a “lady gang” and allegedly stole gold chains and mangalsutras during the ongoing religious discourse of Pandit Dhirendra Shastri (Bageshwar Baba). Police recovered stolen jewellery worth nearly ₹15 lakh from their possession.

Modus Operandi: Mixed With Kalash Yatra in Red-Yellow Sarees

The accused women, hailing from Azamgarh and Mau districts of Uttar Pradesh, blended into the Kalash Yatra on 23 November by wearing red and yellow sarees like devotees. Taking advantage of the dense crowd, they deliberately created chaos and pushed women from all sides. During the jostling, one of the gang members would swiftly cut and snatch gold chains and mangalsutras, passing them to others before escaping in the crowd.

Several women, including Neelam (42) and Janaki Bhargava (71) from Shivpuri, lodged complaints after their jewellery went missing during the procession.

Caught Through CCTV Surveillance

City Kotwali TI Kripal Singh said police examined CCTV footage from various locations and activated informers. On 25 November, a tip-off revealed that a group of suspicious women was again present at the Katha venue near the airstrip. Police isolated them from the crowd, questioned them, and after strict interrogation, the women confessed to chain snatching.

Recovered items include five gold chains, two mangalsutras and one gold pendant, collectively valued at around ₹15 lakh.

Accused Identified

Police have named the following women in the case:

• Pooja (22), wife of Jacky Kumar, resident of Andhehi village, Azamgarh
• Muskan (31), wife of Arun Kumar, resident of Andhehi, Azamgarh
• Aarti (20), wife of Alok Kumar, resident of Zameen Barampur, Mau
• Lakshmi Devi, wife of Akash Kumar, resident of Mau Har (native Chandeli, Varanasi)
• Madhuri (23), wife of Sunny alias Jogi Kumar, resident of Nizampur (native Jiyanpur), Azamgarh
• Kareena (19), wife of Sachin Kumar, resident of Sultani Pur, Mau

All six have been booked under relevant sections of the BNS and are undergoing further interrogation.

Planned Theft After Learning About the Large Gathering

During questioning, the women disclosed that they had learned about Bageshwar Baba’s large-scale Katha in Shivpuri and planned the trip specifically to commit theft, anticipating heavy crowds and minimal suspicion.

Police are now verifying whether the accused are linked to similar theft incidents in other districts.