Lucknow: A Maharashtra-based man, said to be the alleged kingpin of an interstate pickpocket gang, was arrested along with four associates in Lucknow. The gang targeted railway passengers across multiple states and minted Rs 20 lakh every month, police said.The Lucknow Police Crime Branch busted the gang after receiving information that its members were operating around Charbagh railway station and targeting passengers through pickpocketing and theft. Five members of the gang were arrested on Tuesday, with police recovering Rs 1.24 lakh in cash and a scooter allegedly used in the crime.Police said the gang had been active in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Delhi, with its activities traced to cities including Mumbai, Nashik and Ahmednagar.The gang’s kingpin has been identified as Sandeep Sudhakar Tijore, 35, of Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. Police said he has a criminal history involving several railway theft cases dating back to 2009.Additional DCP (Crime) Kiran Yadav said gang members bought platform tickets, mingled with passengers and targeted crowded trains during daytime. Posing as fellow travellers, they distracted victims before stealing cash and valuables. They also targeted passengers in autos and e-rickshaws.Police said the gang could earn up to Rs 20 lakh a month through theft and pickpocketing. The members allegedly moved frequently from one city to another to evade police surveillance.The accused spent the proceeds on expensive rented accommodation and even used air travel while shifting between cities.The other arrested accused are Arvind Gupta, 35, of Sonbhadra, who worked as a water vendor at railway stations; Kunal Vilas Sirsath, 24, of Nashik, who sold gutka inside trains; Javed Akhtar, 25, of Mumbai, described as a key associate involved in bringing people into the gang; and Sonu, 30, of Gonda, who worked as an earphone hawker.
