This is an archive article published on February 23, 2022
Explained: Who are Angadias and what are the challenges they face?
Who are Angadias? How does the system work, and is it legal? Why have Angadias been targeted so frequently?
Written by Mohamed Thaver
, Edited by Explained Desk
Mumbai | February 23, 2022 07:02 AM IST
4 min read
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The Angadia system works completely on trust as large sums, at times in crores, are involved.
An FIR has been registered against three Mumbai Police officials last week for allegedly threatening Angadias and extorting money from them in south Mumbai. Earlier this month, an Angadias shop in Mulund was looted by a gang of robbers. Who are these Angadias and why are they targeted frequently?
Who are Angadias?
The Angadia system is a century-old parallel banking system in the country where traders send cash generally from one state to another through a person called Angadia that stands for courier. It is by and large used in the jewellery business with Mumbai – Surat being the most popular route as they are two ends of the diamond trade. The cash involved is huge and it is the responsibility of the Angadia to transfer cash from one state to another for which they charge a nominal fee. Generally, it is the Gujarati, Marwari and Malbari community that are involved in the business.
The Angadia system works completely on trust as large sums, at times in crores, are involved. Generally, traders have the same Angadias for decades together. If a trader from Zaveri Bazaar in south Mumbai wants to pay a diamond trader in Surat, he will send an Angadias who usually delivers the money within 24 hours. They also have fixed trains that leave from Mumbai at night and reach Gujarat by early morning. Usually, to verify authenticity, the trader will, for example, will give a Rs 10 note to the Angadia and provide the number of the note to the recipient. It is only after the recipient confirms the note number that the Angadia will hand over the money to the person. After making the payment, the Angadias return to Mumbai the same day.
Is the system legal?
While the Angadia system per se is legal, there hangs a cloud over the activity as it is suspected that a lot of times it is used to transfer unaccounted money. Since the business deals in cash and there is no account maintained for the same, there have been suspicions that it is also used for transfer of black money like the hawala transaction which is generally used across countries.
The fact that Angadias carry large quantities of cash makes them susceptible as targets of robbery. In Mulund when robbers looted a shop earlier this month, they fled with Rs 77 lakh in cash. Unlike in cases of robbing jewellery which then has to be sold and could leave behind a trail, disposing of cash is much easier. Apart from this, since individual Angadias carry cash, robbers keep an eye out for their routes and loot them. On several occasions it has turned out that former employees aware about working of the Angadias have been the perpetrators of the crime. Angadias have also started getting security guards to come along and usually travel in large groups to avoid being targeted. Further, like in the recent case in Mumbai, cops are known to extort and threaten Angadias to get money from them as there is a shadow of doubt over the legality of the money they transfer.
Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems.
Experience & Authority
Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field.
Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus.
Key Beats:
Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch.
Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force.
Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict.
Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations.
Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order.
He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read More
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