Crime
Khabari: The Unsung Heroes Of Mumbai Police Intelligence
The term “Khabari” means informer, an indispensable part of every police force. While technology has transformed policing in today’s digital age, the importance of khabaris remains as strong as ever.
Some may question whether informers still hold the same relevance when advanced surveillance systems, digital forensics, and artificial intelligence are helping the police solve crimes faster. However, despite these technological breakthroughs, the role of human intelligence can never be replaced.
A khabari serves as the police’s eyes and ears on the ground. They provide crucial information about criminal activities, gangs, and suspicious movements, insights that no digital system can fully capture. Their tips often lead to major breakthroughs in investigations, especially in complex or sensitive cases where trust and human connections matter more than data. The khabaris as the backbone of crime control and investigation. From tracking drug networks to preventing gang wars, these informers quietly contribute to maintaining law and order.
There is a common phrase often seen in police press notes, “acting on a tip-off from a secret informer.” These “secret informers” are none other than khabaris. Within the Mumbai Police, there exists an entire world of informers, mysterious yet essential. The general public often forms its image of an informer from Bollywood films — a shady figure calling the police from a dark alley. In reality, the truth is far more complex and grounded.
Many khabaris come from ordinary walks of life, street vendors, rickshaw pullers, small businessmen, or paan stall owners. They share information about suspicious or criminal activity in their areas. They may not receive direct financial benefits, but being known to the police gives them credibility and a sense of security. Sometimes, it ensures that the police do not unnecessarily trouble their businesses. Some people even share information as a form of social service, though they are not considered professional informers.
However, those who provide information from within the criminal world are the true police informers. These individuals may have once been part of gangs, may have fallen out with their former associates, or may be ex-convicts trying to rebuild their lives. Some are even active criminals who maintain links with the police. In prisons, so-called ‘raw prisoners’ also serve as informants, passing on valuable details about criminal networks or planned activities. Sometimes, in certain matters, the informer is connected to politicians, businessmen, and the criminal world as well.
The identity of an informer is always kept strictly confidential for their safety. The police never reveal their names, even in successful operations or encounter reports.
Sudhakar Suradkar, a former IPS officer, stated, “Technology or machines can never replace human intelligence. In the digital era, these tools are only helpful, but ultimately, human intelligence remains the most important. For instance, the atomic tests conducted by India in 1998, during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, were not detected by American intelligence agencies despite their advanced technology. Another key point is that an informer must be a credible individual. Some people accept money and provide information, but the police must identify their vested interests. Human beings can lie, which is why I never trusted petty informers; I always relied on credible ones. In the police force, the importance of informers will always remain, despite the growth of digital innovations.”
The history of informers in the Mumbai Police goes back decades. Smuggling was rampant in the 1960s, and rival operators would secretly tip off the police to catch competitors’ boats. That marked the beginning of the informer system. Over the years, informants have become an integral part of policing. During the 1980s and 1990s, when gang wars gripped Mumbai, khabaris played a crucial role. Their tips helped the police conduct encounters and dismantle underworld networks. Many of these informers risked their lives to assist the police during those violent times.
If informers provide information, what do they get in return? The answer lies in the economics of intelligence. Many informers are professionals; they earn their living by supplying credible information. The bigger and more valuable the information, the greater the reward. Some informers are even said to be on the police’s ‘payroll.’
In addition to monetary rewards, police departments often extend quiet support to informers and their families. If an informer is imprisoned or injured, officers may help their family financially. Such payments are made through a ‘secret fund’, an officially sanctioned fund used specifically to compensate informers for their services.
While technology has made policing faster and more scientific, the khabari continues to bridge the gap between street-level reality and official intelligence. Behind every major breakthrough lies a whisper from an unseen source, a khabari who risks everything to keep the city safe.
Street / Criminal Circle → Khabari → Police Officer → Action / Raid / Arrest
Former gang members
Street vendors / small business owners
Ex-convicts or prison contacts
Active criminals turned informants
Others (auto drivers, bar employees, etc.)
Police maintain a “secret fund” to pay informers.
The amount depends on the value of the information.
Payments are kept confidential to protect identities.
1960s: Start of informer culture during smuggling era
1980s–1990s: Rise of gang wars — informers vital in encounters
2000s: Informers track drug trade and organised crime
2020s: Digital policing + human intelligence = stronger results
Crime
Police to grill ex-soldier in Secunderabad armoury heist case

Hyderabad, Sep 13: A court in Telangana’s Secunderabad has sent former army NCO Upputholla Mallesh to police custody for seven days in connection with the theft of firearms and ammunition from the 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment’s armoury in Bolarum.
Police will take the accused into custody on Monday for further interrogation in the sensational case, sources said on Sunday.
The investigators will grill Mallesh further on the basis of information provided by him during the preliminary questioning after his arrest.
Mallesh, 37, had allegedly committed the theft on the intervening night of August 30 and 31. The police had announced the arrest of Mallesh on September 11. The same day, he was sent to judicial custody for 14 days and lodged at Chanchalguda Central Prison.
Telangana Police will also share details to be gathered during the questioning with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Army authorities for further investigation.
Telangana Director General of Police C. V. Anand had stated at the press conference on Friday that prima facie, Mallesh acted alone in committing the offence. He, however, had said that police were continuing the investigation into the possible role of others.
During police custody, investigators are likely to elicit information from Mallesh if he was helped by anyone in committing the offence and if he handed over weapons to others for hiding.
The DGP had announced that the entire cache of arms and ammunition stolen from Kote & Magazine of 20 Battalion, Madras Regiment was recovered.
Bollarum police, along with Hyderabad Task Force and SOT Malkajgiri Commissionerate, had arrested Mallesh in a joint operation.
The intention behind the theft preliminarily appears to be disgruntlement out of early retirement from service, the DGP had said.
Hailing from Nagarkurnool district, Mallesh joined the Indian Army in 2010 and worked for 16 years before retirement from service on June 30, 2026, on the grounds of indiscipline
and poor health.
After thorough investigation, police had zeroed in on Mallesh, a native of Jangareddypalle village of Nagarkurnool district who was staying with family at Balajinagar in Secunderabad Cantonment. His movements since August 27 and on the day of the offence were suspicious and did not match what he was saying.
Investigations revealed that on August 27, 28 and 29, he had gone to the area on a recce of the arms depository. On the night of August 30, he broke the lock of the arms and ammunition stores and carried the stolen cache on his bike and later transported the same in his car to Nagarkurnool district, where he hid it near his house.
The stolen arms and ammunition included four AK-203 assault rifles along with five magazines, an INSAS rifle with three magazines, six 9 mm pistols along with 12 magazines, one civil 6.35-bore pistol along with a magazine, one passive night-vision binocular, 1,156 rounds of ammunition of 9mm pistol, 720 rounds of AK-203 ammunition, 11 ball, 5 tracer and 20 blank rounds of 5.56 mm INSAS ammunition.
Crime
Two snatchers, receiver arrested in Delhi; gold earring snatching case solved within 24 hours

New Delhi, Sep 13: A team of Mansarovar Park police in the national capital has arrested two alleged snatchers and a receiver of stolen property in a gold earring snatching case, with the cops claiming to have solved the case within 24 hours of the incident.
A motorcycle allegedly used in the commission of the crime has also been recovered.
According to the Shahdara district police, a PCR call regarding the snatching was received at Mansarovar Park police station on September 9. The complainant, identified as Guddi Devi, told police that she was travelling on a motorcycle with her nephew when two men riding a bike approached them from behind as they were crossing Durgapuri Flyover.
The pillion rider allegedly snatched a gold earring from her left ear, following which both men fled towards Durgapuri.
During the probe, police examined the complainant, inspected the spot and prepared a site plan. Investigators also analysed CCTV footage from the area and obtained clear images of the alleged accused along with the registration number of the motorcycle used in the crime.
The motorcycle was traced to its registered owner, Meenakshi, who told police that it was being used by her brother Puneet. Police subsequently apprehended Puneet from his residence and recovered the motorcycle at his instance.
During interrogation, Puneet allegedly disclosed his involvement with his associate Vikas alias Puchchi. Vikas was subsequently apprehended from the Nand Nagri bus stand. Both were arrested, and the court granted one-day police custody remand.
Police said further interrogation led to the identification of Arjun as the alleged receiver. According to police, Puneet and Vikas disclosed that they had sold the stolen gold earring to Arjun near Tahirpur Gurudwara for around Rs 8,000.
Arjun was traced and questioned. Police said he admitted purchasing the earring for Rs 8,000 and later selling it for approximately Rs 10,500 to an unidentified person in B-Block, Nand Nagri. As the stolen property was no longer in his possession, Arjun was arrested following due legal procedure.
Police said efforts are underway to identify the subsequent purchaser and recover the stolen gold earring.
The arrested persons have been identified as Puneet, 23, a resident of Nand Nagri; Vikas alias Puchchi, 38, also of Nand Nagri; and Arjun, 36, a resident of Nand Nagri.
According to police, the accused have also been linked to three other cases registered at Police Station Mansarovar Park under relevant provisions of the BNS.
Police said Puneet has one previous criminal involvement, while Vikas alias Puchchi has more than 17 previous criminal involvements in cases related to robbery, snatching, theft and the Arms Act. He is also an active Bad Character (BC) of Police Station Nand Nagri.
Crime
Bengal man arrested for sexually assaulting minor daughter

Kolkata, Sep 12: A man in West Bengal South 24 Parganas district has been arrested for sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter, police said on Saturday.
According to the police, the elder daughter had filed a complaint against her father with the Baruipar police. She claimed that she left home due to sexual assault, which she was subjected to by her father, and alleged that he was doing the same to her younger sister. Based on that complaint, officers of Baruipur Women Police Station have arrested the accused.
According to the police, the arrested person is a hawker by profession.
Allegedly, in December last year, the accused’s elder daughter was subjected to physical abuse. She left home in anger and fear. The younger daughter alleged that her father’s misbehaviour was not resolved even after she informed her mother. The mother kept quiet even after knowing everything.
It is alleged that after the elder daughter left home, the father continued to sexually assault the younger daughter. The ‘victim’ claimed that this had been happening for the past few months. She said that there was no situation to tell anyone. She spoke to her sister on the phone. After that, both sisters informed their mother. Even after that, the mother remained silent and refused to accept their allegations.
Incidentally, the accused’s elder daughter called 100 and informed the police about the matter. Based on that, officers of Baruipur Women Police Station arrested the accused from the Kulpi Road area last night. A case has been registered against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Police have applied for his custody to investigate the matter further.
“Based on the complaint by the daughter, the father has been arrested. We will seek his custody to interrogate him further. Investigation is on, and all the allegations are being looked into,” a senior officer of Baruipur Police District said.
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra2 years agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News2 years agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News2 years agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime2 years agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
