Involved in over 250 cases, including 15 robberies in Delhi and neighbouring regions, notorious stickup and escape artist Vikram Kadyan (28) alias Mowgli landed in police dragnet after a brief encounter with Gurgaon Police on Wednesday night. Touted the Bunty Chor of Gurgaon, Kadyan is involved in several high-profile break-ins, including those in DlF City, Gurgaon. His unique modus operandi made him a prize catch for police, who called him Super Chor Bunty’s doppelganger.
Police arrested him on Wednesday night following a brief firing, while he was heading for a break-in at Palam Vihar in Gurgaon. He has been active in Gurgaon since the last six months. Police said Kadyan, a resident of Najafgarh in Delhi, first entered the world of crime in 2003 when he was 18 years old. He initially attempted heists with six-seven cronies from Bhondsi and Tihar Jail. later he broke solo.
Sources said despite being a college dropout, Kadyan was a smart and intelligent man. He outfoxed cops on several occasions. Police said he is fond of watching whodunits. Inspired by Bollywood cinema, he would adopt a simple, effective modus operandi. Whichever house or flat he targeted, he would arrive posing as a businessman in luxurious vehicles such as BMW, Toyota Corolla Altis and Honda Accord. The luxury vehicle helped him convince others of his disguise and escape without raising an alarm. According to police, he generally struck at a time when only one person was present in the house.
He deposited all the decamped jewellery with Muthoot Finance under the pseudonym of Rajkamal. In return, he got sanctioned hefty loan amounts. He repeatedly changed his phone numbers and hideouts to evade arrest.
Sources said he had once met Bunty Chor in Delhi. An official said he hardly left any evidence or prints after the capers.
“Just like Bunty Chor, Kadyan executed robberies with confidence and ease. He ran out of luck two months ago when a CCTV camera in one of the houses in DlF Phase II, captured him pointing a gun at a victim. He was earlier arrested by Delhi Police and Haryana Police in 2008 but was released later,” said a senior official of Gurgaon Police.
“Kadyan has been involved in many cases of robbery in Haryana, Delhi and its adjoining cities. He admitted to his involvement in 250 cases of burglaries, including attempt to murder during robberies in various upscale areas of Delhi-NCR. These include five cases in Faridabad, 15 in Gurgaon, three in Rohtak, six in Karnal, 10 in Noida, Bhadurgarh and other adjoining cities,” said a police official.
Police were informed that Kadyan would be attempting a heist in Palam Vihar at 11 pm. A trap was laid by police ready to ambush him. When he reached in his Honda Civic, police indicated him to stop but he opened fire instead. He was soon outmaneuvered by police. His vehicle has been impounded and Rs10 lakh in cash retrieved from his person along with two revolvers.