Jharkhand Underworld Sees Rise of ‘Lady Dons’ as Women Take Over Gang Operations

Ranchi, Jharkhand: A startling shift is emerging in Jharkhand’s criminal underworld, with women—wives and close associates of jailed gangsters—assuming leadership roles in organized crime. According to the state ATS, following the imprisonment of notorious criminals like Aman Saw and Sujit Sinha, figures such as Pammi, Riya, and Priyanka are now controlling extortion, arms supply, and revenue collection syndicates.

Women Running the Gangs
Investigations reveal that these women are no longer mere bystanders. Operating as ‘Lady Dons,’ they manage gang operations, guide shooters, and oversee financial transactions. Law enforcement officials suggest that the increasing surveillance and encounter risks faced by male gangsters have led them to use women as “safe hands” for core operations. These women are reportedly involved in extortion, enforcement, and spreading influence across the Koelanchal region.

Three Key Fronts of Female Gang Control
Police reports indicate that women are strengthening gangs on three primary fronts:

1. Money Trail – Illegal funds are routed through women’s accounts to evade scrutiny of male gangsters’ bank transactions.
2. Logistics – Women are managing arms and narcotics trafficking, taking advantage of lower police suspicion.
3. Legal and Sympathy Leverage – In case of arrests, women serve as a protective buffer, complicating police action.

Prominent ‘Lady Commanders’

• Pammi: Linked to Aman Saw and Lawrence Bishnoi gangs, she coordinated shooters, arranged arms, and managed ransom collection. She was involved in a high-profile firing incident at a Chhattisgarh businessman’s house and was arrested in Simdega.
• Riya and Priyanka: After Sujit Sinha’s incarceration, his wife Riya ran operations under the cover of the ‘Koelanchal Shanti Sena,’ recruiting youth and conducting reconnaissance. Priyanka, a BCA graduate, acted as second-in-command, demanding extortion payments and guiding shooters on targets. Their arrests marked a major success for Ranchi police.
• Nargis and Rozi: In the gang led by Prince Khan, Nargis Bano acted as the accountant, managing extortion funds and paying gang members’ salaries. Rozi Parveen reportedly demanded ₹1 crore from a Ranchi businessman, challenging authorities, before being arrested.

Police Crackdown on Female-Led Syndicates
Recognizing this emerging threat, Jharkhand Police and the ATS have adjusted their strategy. Alongside active gangsters, women family members and their bank accounts are now under intense scrutiny. Operations are being coordinated with the Economic Offenses Unit (EOU) to dismantle these syndicates and curb the growing influence of female-led organized crime in the state.