Chaddi Baniyan gang
The Chaddi Baniyan Gangs, also known as Kachchadhari, are criminal groups that have operated in parts of India since 1987. Members attack while wearing only their underwear, plus masks and sometimes oil or mud to hide their identities. They usually travel in small groups of 5–10 and wear a kurta with a lungi.
During the day they gather at transport hubs or empty urban spaces and disguise themselves as beggars or workers to scout houses to rob. After hitting several homes, they move on to another town. They often rent cars to get around and are suspected of robbing temples as well.
Some members have been linked to the Phase Pardhi tribe, though people from other communities have also been involved. The gangs have been active in states such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
In 2016, four members were arrested in Mumbai after police encounters and a siege at Borivali. The second season of the TV series Delhi Crime (2022) portrays the gang as suspects in a string of murders in Delhi.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:53 (CET).