Five Bangladeshi Nationals Held in Multi-State Dacoity Case in Goa

Goa Police have arrested five Bangladeshi nationals allegedly linked to an inter-state dacoity gang involved in a series of robberies in the coastal state last year. The arrests were confirmed by Director General of Police Alok Kumar during a press conference on Friday.

The accused were apprehended in Delhi during the intervening night of April 14 and 15 by the crime branch, in coordination with local police. Officials said the gang members were caught while allegedly planning another dacoity in the national capital. A sixth accused is expected to be brought to Goa shortly.

The arrests stem from a year-long, multi-state investigation into two major dacoity cases reported in Dona Paula on April 20 and Mapusa (Ganeshpuri area) on October 7 last year. Police teams tracked the suspects across several cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Guwahati, relying on CCTV analysis, technical surveillance and intelligence inputs .

According to investigators, the gang comprised Bangladeshi nationals who entered India illegally through the Meghalaya border. One of the key accused had prior links to Goa , having been lodged in Colvale jail, which helped the group identify targets.

Police said the gang followed a well-planned modus operandi . Members conducted reconnaissance of residential areas , monitored routines of occupants and identified vulnerable entry points. They operated in small groups and avoided electronic communication to evade detection.

During the robberies, the accused allegedly broke into houses, restrained residents and looted gold and valuables , using locally procured weapons such as knives and iron rods. Investigators also found that local associates in Goa provided logistical support , including shelter.

The five accused were brought to Goa on transit remand and produced before a judicial magistrate in Panaji on April 30, who remanded them to 11 days of police custody .

Police said further investigation is underway to recover stolen property and weapons , while provisions of the Foreigners Act are also being invoked to probe the network’s wider links.