'Underwear' Gang Strikes In Nashik, Steals Gold Worth 5 Lakh -- And Bananas

An 'underwear' gang has caused a sensation after it broke into a home and a college at Malegaon in Maharashtra's Nashik late last night and stole nearly 70 gm gold -- worth around Rs 5 lakh -- and bananas. A CCTV camera has captured the thieves, wearing vests and underwear (the source of the name "chaddi-baniyan gang"), breaking into the premises.

The 'chaddi baniyan' gang gained notoriety over a series of attacks in other parts of the country. Members of the gang typically commit crimes wearing underwear and sometimes carry sharp weapons to scare their targets. It is not clear if the multiple groups committing such robberies are connected, or the 'underwear' attacks are just a modus operandi to mislead investigators.

The gang's strike in Malegaon comes shortly after thefts by a 'gown' gang. This gang was caught on security cameras dressed in women's gowns and targeting residential neighbourhoods. Several homes in Malegaon were targeted last week by the 'gown' gang, seen armed with sharp weapons. They also stole money from the donation box in a temple.

The 'gown' gang and 'chaddi-baniyan' robberies have sparked terror in the town and residents are demanding swift action by the police.