Representative image (File photo)
NEW DELHI: A 51-year-old fruit seller who secretly led the “Mamu Gang”, a group involved in a series of bank burglaries across several states has been arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, officials said on Friday.The accused, identified as Kamrul alias Mamu, a resident of Uttar Pradesh was wanted in multiple bank burglary cases in Karnataka and Maharashtra, deputy commissioner of police (Crime Branch) Harsh Indora said in a statement.“By day, he posed as a humble fruit seller, quietly studying bank premises, observing staff routines and mapping security loopholes. By night, he led his men to strike with precision — breaking into vaults and disabling alarms,” the officer said.Kamrul, described as the ringleader and chief planner of the gang, was known for his detailed heist strategies and use of disguises to evade police. He was arrested from Mahavir Enclave in southwest Delhi on Wednesday, following a tip-off about his movement in the area.Police said Kamrul had been living under a false identity and selling fruits in local markets to hide his real activities.A Crime Branch team laid a trap in Uttam Nagar and apprehended him. Verification later confirmed that he was wanted in three major bank burglary cases in Karnataka, news agency PTI reported. During questioning, Kamrul admitted to being the mastermind behind the “Mamu Gang”, an organised interstate network responsible for multiple bank heists in Maharashtra and Karnataka.According to police, the gang members posed as fruit vendors during the day to blend into market crowds near banks. This allowed them to study entry and exit routes, note guard shifts, and identify weak security points.“Once the plan was ready, they would strike at night using specialised implements to disable alarms and CCTV systems before breaking into vaults,” DCP Indora said.After each burglary, the gang members would disperse to different cities, resuming their disguise as fruit sellers to avoid detection.With Kamrul’s arrest, police said three major bank burglary cases in Karnataka have been solved. The accused has over 10 previous cases registered against him across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka, including murder, attempt to murder, theft, cheating, gang activity and offences under the Arms Act and NDPS Act.Though illiterate, Kamrul is believed to be highly skilled in planning and executing complex burglaries. He has allegedly been operating across states for nearly three decades, recruiting local accomplices and using coded communication to coordinate the crimes.Further investigation is underway to identify other members of the “Mamu Gang” and trace the proceeds from the burglaries, police said.