Mumbai Police bust motorcycle theft racket, recover 46 stolen bikes worth Rs 12.85 lakh

The DN Nagar police team with the arrested accused. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The DN Nagar police have cracked a well-organised motorcycle theft racket, arresting three accused and recovering as many as 46 stolen two-wheelers valued at approximately Rs 12.85 lakh. The arrests have led to the detection of seven theft cases registered across multiple police stations in the city.

According to the police sources, the case leading to the arrests was filed by Raju Balakrishna Pujari, 23, after his Honda Aviator scooter (MH02 BX 3352) was stolen around July-August 2025, from outside Jeevan Jyot Medical Centre on CD Barfiwala Road in Andheri West. Based on his complaint, DN Nagar police registered an offence under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to theft.

During the investigation, police analysed CCTV footage from the crime scene and acted on inputs from a confidential informant, leading to the arrests of Janardan Vishwas Bane alias Nana, 36, Munna Kedar Mali, 52, and Ashfaak Ibrahim Mansuri, 34. The trio was arrested on Monday and is currently in police custody.

Some of the stolen bikes recovered

Police investigations revealed that Bane would steal motorcycles from areas including Juhu, Goregaon, Versova, and DN Nagar, with the help of Mali. The stolen vehicles were then taken to Mansuri's workshop in Behram Baug, Oshiwara, where they were dismantled, and the parts were sold individually to avoid detection.

"During custodial interrogation, a massive haul of stolen vehicles was recovered from their possession, including motorcycles of various brands and also electric two-wheelers. Several vehicles were found without number plates, while others had been tampered with. Tools used for stealing and dismantling motorcycles were also seized," said an officer.

In addition to the 46 motorcycles recovered, the police also seized multiple two-wheelers from Mansuri's shop, leading to suspicions that the racket may be linked to several more thefts. Authorities believe further cases may come to light once verification with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) is completed. The police confirmed that the accused are linked to six other theft cases registered at DN Nagar, Juhu, Malvani, Colaba, and Versova police stations.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of senior police officers, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IX) Dixit Gedam, and Senior Inspector Rajendra Machindr, with the investigation led by Police Sub-Inspector Avinash Darade and the Crime Detection Squad of DN Nagar police station. "Further investigation is underway to identify other possible accomplices and recover additional stolen property," the officer added.