Gorakhpur | In a major breakthrough, police in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur have busted an interstate organized theft gang that targeted wedding ceremonies and crowded public events by disguising themselves as performers. The gang’s alleged mastermind, Sarbjit Singh alias “Sarbjit Kaur,” who posed as an orchestra dancer, has been arrested along with four other associates. The arrested group includes a transgender person, a woman, and two men.
According to police investigations, the gang operated in a highly structured and calculated manner, specifically selecting wedding functions as their primary targets due to the heavy crowd and reduced suspicion. Sarbjit Singh, originally from Malout in Punjab, reportedly entered the world of crime after her husband’s death and gradually built a well-organized theft network spanning multiple states.
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Theft network operated under the cover of dance performances
The modus operandi of the gang has shocked investigators. Sarbjit Singh and her associate Devendra Kaur would enter wedding events as orchestra performers and stage dancers. While they entertained guests and kept attention focused on the stage, other members of the gang executed the theft operations in the background.
One member would conduct prior reconnaissance, identifying crowd density, security gaps, and potential targets. Another would blend into the crowd to create distractions, while a third would carry out pickpocketing and steal cash and valuables. A transgender associate, Jagjit Singh, played a key role in lifting jewellery and cash during the chaos.
Police stated that the gang members deliberately maintained a slim physique, allowing them to move easily through crowded gatherings without drawing attention. After executing the thefts, they would disperse in different directions to avoid detection.
CCTV footage exposed the entire operation
The gang was exposed after a theft incident at a mobile shop in the Gola area of Gorakhpur. The accused broke open the shop shutter and stole 14 mobile phones along with ₹1.40 lakh in cash. The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras, which became the key evidence in the investigation.
Based on the footage, police identified the suspects and launched coordinated raids, eventually arresting all five members. The stolen goods were also recovered during the operation.
Network spread across multiple states
Investigations have revealed that the gang was not limited to Gorakhpur alone. The accused had been active for nearly one and a half months and are believed to have carried out similar thefts in Delhi, Haryana, and Bihar using the same method.
Police said the group moved strategically from Punjab, conducted reconnaissance in new locations, and then targeted wedding ceremonies and crowded events. In Gorakhpur’s Gola area, they had even rented a room to operate as a temporary base.
Police crackdown and ongoing investigation
SP South Dinesh Kumar Puri confirmed that the gang was a professional criminal syndicate that exploited crowded gatherings to carry out thefts in a highly organized manner. All accused are currently being interrogated, and their previous criminal records are under review.
Authorities are now working to identify additional members of the network and determine the full geographical spread of their operations. Coordination with police forces in other states has also been initiated to dismantle the entire syndicate.
All five accused have been sent to judicial custody. Police have stated that this operation sends a strong message to organized criminal groups exploiting public events for illegal activities.
