Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: The Goa Crime Branch has brought back five Bangladeshi nationals wanted in connection with two major dacoity cases in Goa after they were arrested by the Delhi Crime Branch earlier this month following a police encounter in the national capital.
A special Crime Branch team led by Police Inspectors Dattaguru Sawant and Kishore Ramanan, along with around 20 personnel, had travelled to Delhi to complete legal formalities and secure custody of the accused before escorting them to Goa.
The accused are linked to the sensational robbery at the Dona Paula residence of elderly couple Jaiprakash and Padmini Dempo in April 2025, as well as the October 2025 home invasion at a doctor’s residence in Ganeshpuri, Mapusa.
The arrested accused have been identified as Suman Hauldhar alias Pannu (35), Saifful Islam (31), Sohail Sheikh (35), Md Nasir (48), Noor Islam alias Nadim Khan (56), and Zakir (40). They were apprehended by the Delhi Crime Branch during a late-night operation near Sarai Kale Khan on April 14–15 after an exchange of fire.
Police officials said four country-made firearms, ammunition, and house-breaking tools were recovered from the accused during the operation. Two other suspected gang members, identified as Shakayat and Illiyas, reportedly managed to escape.
According to investigators, the accused are part of an inter-state criminal network allegedly involved in several cases of murder, robbery, attempt to murder, and dacoity across Goa and other states.
Police suspect the gang followed a “hit-run-hide” modus operandi, illegally entering India from Bangladesh, carrying out targeted robberies, and fleeing before authorities could trace them. Investigators also believe the gang conducted reconnaissance with the assistance of local contacts before executing the crimes.
Sources said the gang primarily targeted houses occupied by elderly residents during early morning hours, looting cash and gold jewellery while using violence to overpower victims resisting the robberies.
The accused are expected to be produced before a Goa court for further investigation into the cases.
