Raheman Dakait caught in Surat in a dhurandhar police raid

The character of Raheman Dakait from the film Dhurandhar, portrayed by Akshaye Khanna, has been going viral on social media. Away from the big screen, the real-life Raheman Dakait is now in police custody. The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) arrested the Bhopal-based gang leader in Surat after a sharp police operation, days after he escaped a massive crackdown in Madhya Pradesh’s capital.

Who is Raheman Dakait

Police identified the accused as Aabid Ali Irani, also known as Raju or Raheman Dakait. He is wanted in multiple criminal cases across Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Investigators also accuse him of attempting to set an entire family on fire in Bhopal after suspecting one of its members of being a police informer.

How he slipped out of Bhopal

On December 28 last year, around 150 police personnel carried out a large-scale raid in the Irani Dera locality of Bhopal, from where the gang allegedly operated. During the operation, 34 men and 10 women were detained for questioning. Despite the heavy police presence, Raheman Dakait managed to escape.

A flashy lifestyle behind the crimes

Investigators said Raheman Dakait led a lavish lifestyle. He allegedly owned luxury cars, motorcycles and horses. Police also said he provided legal assistance to arrested gang members across states and collected a fixed share from thefts and robberies carried out by the syndicate.

The run across states and arrest in Surat

After fleeing Bhopal, Raheman Dakait reportedly moved to Maharashtra before making his way to Surat. DCB teams tracked his movement and arrested him there in a well-planned raid, bringing his brief escape to an end.

How the gang trapped victims

Police said gang members frequently impersonated CBI or police officers to target unsuspecting victims. In several cases, they warned people about an “upcoming police check” and fled with their valuables. Another method involved splashing dirt or other substances on victims and stealing valuables while the victims were distracted cleaning themselves.

Disguises and fake checkpoints

Investigators revealed that gang members often used disguises, including dressing up as religious mendicants, to gain entry into targeted homes. In some cases, they carried out highway robberies by blocking roads with barricades while posing as police personnel.

Stones during raids and police-style training

According to police sources, women from the locality would allegedly pelt stones at law enforcement teams during raids to buy time for gang members to escape. Recruits were also trained to speak Hindi in the same tone and style as police personnel to make their impersonation more convincing.