Wanted in 15 bank robberies, heist specialist gunned down

Upadhyaya alias ‘Dabbu’ alias ‘Sheth’ (32), originally a resident of Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh and later a Thane resident, was killed opposite the Oriental Bank of Commerce at Elina Building, Central Avenue Road, Chembur. Upadhyaya was wanted in 15 cases of bank robbery in various police stations in Maharashtra including Mulund, Vakola, Vitthalwadi, Kolsewadi, Ramnagar, Vashi, Rabale, Nerul, Chatushrungi and Yerwada police stations.

“We had received information that Upadhyaya was to come to conduct a recce of the bank, which he had obviously planned to rob next. Based on the information, we laid a trap for him at the spot. Around 1.15 am, he came on a motorcycle,” said an officer who was part of the encounter. He said Upadhyaya was killed in retaliatory firing after he first opened fire with a countrymade revolver.

According to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria, Upadhyaya used to live at Ramabai Colony, Ghatkopar, with his father and brothers. “His father used to work as a peon in Jhunjhunwala College. He entered the world of crime in 1994 when he joined a gang of robbers and he has since been on a spree of robbing banks and jewellery shops,” Maria said. “He also worked for some time with the Chhota Rajan gang but later struck out on his own.”

Upadhyaya had also completed two stints in prison.

DCP (Crime) Deven Bharti said Upadhyaya was one of the most professional criminals the police have ever encountered. “Known for his meticulous planning and execution, Dabbu had a core group who would carefully research the kind of banks situated away from public places like markets or railway stations. After narrowing down on a bank that would be relatively isolated, he would make plans with his gang and hit the bank, mostly during the first 10 days of the month as he knew that that is when the strong room would contain the most money.”