Goons preferring to shun friends, aides fearing to be caught ‘preparing for dacoity’

Nagpur: The strategy of the cops to slap charges of ‘Preparing for dacoity’ under section 399 of the Indian penal code (IPC) in the ongoing ‘Operation crackdown phase II’ has led to a situation where the goons are either not stepping out of their homes or are preferring to move alone without their so-called friends doubling up as bodyguards.
The cops generally invoke IPC 399, a punishment which could lead to imprisonment up to 10 years as well as a fine, whenever they find goons with friends. The section cannot be invoked when someone is found alone, said a police official. It’s learnt that cops try to nab the goons in groups so that they can slap them with section 399 which also means a longer period behind bars. Procuring bail is also not easy.
City police, after the launch of Operation crackdown’, has invoked section 399 of the IPC against 15 gangs sending several goons behind bars in an effective manner. “We ensure strict legal action and enforcement of law against the goons,” said DCP, crime, Gajanan Rajmane.
Police claimed section 399 IPC has been effective to reduce crime. In 2018, there were 30 cases following which the number of murders was 77 which was lowest in the last five years.
According to a senior officer, goons are appearing before police whenever being summoned but they ensure that a family member accompanies them. “Seasoned goons are not moving out unless required and even if they do, they are keeping a family member like a wife or mother or brother with them,” said the cop.
It’s learnt that some top names in the city’s underworld like Swapnil, Bhoge, Waseem, Genteel, Dallu and Gajju are either staying put at home or have remained untraceable with their mobile phones switched off. “Goons are feeling the heat now with crime branch and their local police stations both summoning them for checking their whereabouts regularly. The cops have warned the goons to land up at crime branch or police station whenever they are summoned,” said a senior officer.