Lucknow: The UP STF has busted an interstate robbery gang, targeting Gujarat-based businessmen and cash couriers transporting money for spice and agricultural commodities trade in Lucknow. They were arrested near the Janeshwar Mishra Park flyover in Gomti Nagar.Six gang members, including kingpin Dinesh Chandra Yadav, were arrested and Rs 48.45 lakh was recovered. An illegal pistol, cartridges, a car and a motorcycle were seized. The gang had developed a network to identify traders frequently travelling between Gujarat and Lucknow carrying large amounts of cash for business transactions.ASP STF Deepak Kumar Singh said the gang operated with military-like precision. One member would follow cash carriers on a motorcycle. Once the target left with cash, the gang would then ram a car into the victim’s scooter. As the victim struggled to recover, other members would snatch the cash bag.A key revelation during interrogation was the role of an informer Amrit Lal Pal who supplied sensitive information about businessmen transporting cash between Gujarat and Lucknow. Pal assured gang members that victims would hesitate to approach police because of the large cash transactions involved. Police also found that accused Mohit Kanujia played a crucial role, monitoring business establishments and tracking cash carriers before alerting the gang.The STF linked the gang to at least four major robberies in Lucknow, including loot of Rs 22 lakh near Vibhuti Khand vegetable market on May 2, Rs 45 lakh from traders in Virat Khand on July 3, another robbery near Mayo Hospital on Sept 3 and an attack on a Gujarat businessman in Ashiyana on Oct 24.The six accused were arrested late Saturday near a cricket academy beneath Sahara Bridge in Gomti Nagar. Those arrested include Dinesh, Saurabh Yadav, Aman alias Raman Yadav, Saurabh Dixit, Mohit Kanujia and Gyan Singh.
