A member of the notorious Chaddi Baniyan gang was recently arrested 27 years after he and three others went underground after receiving bail. The accused, Shankar Bajirao Kale, 65, allegedly took part in a violent robbery in a Malad East building on October 3, 1996. During the incident, five members of the gang attacked a landlord and a responding police team with stones and sharp objects, inflicting serious injuries. In response, the cops opened fire, resulting in the death of a gang member on the spot. The rest—Shankar Bajirao Kale, Ambadas Kale, Idris and another accused, who has since passed away—managed to flee with cash and jewellery worth approximately Rs 3.5 lakh.

Following a thorough investigation, the Dindoshi police arrested the quartet, had booked the accused under Sections 395, 397, 307, 332, 324 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, in Aurangabad and recovered half of the loot. However, after spending just four to six months in jail, the accused were released on bail and subsequently went underground.