Chamoli Police Crackdown on Organized Crime Targeting Badrinath and Kedarnath Pilgrims

Chamoli district police have launched a major crackdown on an organized crime ring that orchestrated assaults on pilgrims at Badrinath and Kedarnath during the Char Dham Yatra. The operation culminated in the arrest of gang leader Sunil Kumar and four other members on September 11, 2026.

The investigation traces back to an FIR lodged on April 27, 2026, in Kotwali Badrinath, where multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code were invoked. Detailed probing revealed that the perpetrators operated as a cohesive interstate gang, with members from Punjab and Rajasthan, rather than as isolated offenders.

The detained individuals include Krishna Kumar (28, Bhattinda, Punjab), Diya (25, Moramandi, Punjab), a second Bhattinda resident (26, Punjab), and Lalit Kumar (31, Alwar, Rajasthan). Interrogations disclosed that the gang had executed "tappabazi" attacks not only in Badrinath but also in Kedarnath, confirming a broader pattern of violence.

A gang chart was drafted, approved by the district magistrate, and the Gangster Act was applied to ensure robust prosecution. Continuous technical surveillance and on‑ground intelligence were pivotal in locating the leader and dismantling the network, reinforcing the authorities' resolve to protect pilgrims and curb organized criminal activity.