Andheri Police Arrest Burglar 'Chuha' After He Returns for Aadhaar Update

The DN Nagar police in Andheri have arrested a 38-year-old habitual burglar who had been evading arrest for eight months after allegedly stealing cash and gold ornaments worth over Rs 9 lakh from two homes in Andheri. The suspect, identified as Rafiq Chand Shaikh, nicknamed "Chuha", was apprehended from his residence in Nalasopara on August 4 when he returned to update his Aadhaar card for a slum rehabilitation project.

According to the police, Shaikh fled to his daughter’s home in Gujarat eight months ago and avoided using digital devices to evade arrest. However, his return to update his Aadhaar details alerted authorities to his whereabouts.

Police said Shaikh allegedly stole gold ornaments and cash worth Rs 4.8 lakh from the house of an Andheri homemaker on December 20, 2025. In January, he targeted another house in Andheri West, stealing gold ornaments and cash worth Rs 4.3 lakh. During questioning, Shaikh claimed the stolen booty was used to fund his daughter's wedding.

Following instructions from senior officers to track absconders in old cases, DCP (west zone-2) Mohit Garg supervised a team comprising Senior Inspector Sachin Gawas, Inspector Sachin Kondre, and Sub-Inspector Jivan Dhoipode.

An informant notified the team that Shaikh had returned to his Nalasopara home on August 4. Officers instructed Shaikh's wife to call him to the house without revealing the presence of police. When he arrived, the team arrested him. Upon being asked his name, he stated he was "Chuha".

During Shaikh’s custody from August 4 to August 8, police recovered gold ornaments worth Rs 4.6 lakh stolen across the two cases.