Angadias are trusted unofficial couriers

Reliable, fast, efficient and trustworthy are the characteristics of angadias. In layman’s term, they run unofficial courier-cum-banking service and many businessmen who operate and transact between Mumbai and Gujarat, prefer angadias. Businessmen feel that angadias are more secure than online money transfer.

They transfer cash and jewellery from Mumbai to metros like New Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai and the system remains sound and robust. Not all money transferred is black and businessmen prefer it for speed but the line is wafer thin.

Through the angadia service several crores are transferred, the bulk is between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat, Navsari and other places in Gujarat. Most angadias are from the Kathiawad region in Gujarat and have been in the business for a long time. Since Independence, the angadias are the mainstay of transacting money, jewellery, gold, diamonds, precious stones.

Government agencies, including police, Income Tax, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Enforcement Directorate and intelligence agencies, know about the business and generally prefer not to trouble them. “We have built our business purely on trust; something diamond merchants would vouch for. People who transfer cash prefer us. We take risks and our charges are reasonable. In fact, businessmen have relied and continue to rely on us,” said an angadia, speaking to Deccan Herald on condition of anonymity.

The angadia service started in the pre-Independence era and gained momentum in the 50s and 60s. “In the 70s, it was well-organised and well-trusted like any other business,” said the angadia. “They transfer money, diamonds and jewellery – in a maximum 24 hours and charge a small fee – generally Rs 100 for transfer of Rs 1 lakh or value.

You can just imagine the volume of transfer per day. When goods are transferred using couriers, who travel by trains it is called surface transfer. Between Mumbai and Gujarat, a parcel is charged at Rs 3 for 5 kg,” said a Mumbai-based businessman, who regularly hires services of angadias.

“We have more faith in them and know that the money would reach the right hands. Moreover, the service charges are reasonable and it is hassle free,” he said.
The mode of cash transfer is interesting. When STD facility was not available, it was actual physical delivery in case of cash and parcels. The runners used to carry it and deliver – and the transaction was coded. Diamonds and precious metals were transferred physically.

Generally, the sender and the recipient decide on a code. The sender takes a code from the recipient – which is generally the serial number of a currency note. Then the sender tells the angadia– who in turn informs the recipient. Subsequently, it is delivered and the note bearing that currency number is taken as a proof of delivery. Sometimes the telephone number is also used  and the money is delivered when the recipient gives a missed call.

The physical delivery of cash or diamonds takes place on a daily basis. Generally, they go by the Gujarat Mail and return the next day. At least 25 to 50 per cent of seats on two coaches of this train are booked by the angadias. For security, they travel in groups. “This is for safety and security,” said an angadia. They keep a “low profile” and prefer wearing “normal clothes”. “We do everything to avoid suspicion,” said one of them.

They generally sit and talk throughout the night or sleep in turns. Often, they also sell off the tickets to needy ones who are waitlisted – and prefer to sit. Delivery starts right at the station itself. As soon as the train stops in Surat or Baroda, designated persons come and collect the parcels. The office staff of angadias book tickets on a daily basis in the Gujarat Mail.

The network is so trustworthy that people often maintain accounts for them. For example, if one transacts Rs 5 lakh daily, he may keep anything between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 30 lakh as balance with the angadias. It helps them square off the accounts on a weekly or a fortnightly basis. It is a total informal network.

It is said there are over 200 angadias in Mumbai. “Many of them are third and fourth generation angadias,” said a writer, who knows the communities and trades of Gujaratis.
In Mumbai, angadias operate from the Bhuleshwar, Opera House, Zaveri Bazaar, Malad areas.  To the Mumbai Central station – the origin point of Western Railway’s outstation trains--the money is transferred in a vehicle with escort.

Some angadias also take buses to go to Gujarat – but in that there is an element of risk. Sometimes, huge amounts of cash are transferred in vans.Diamond trade and angadias are inseparable and the mutual trust has been mutually existing for decades. “You cannot separate them,” said a police official-turned-intelligence operative, who knows the diamond trade. “Angadias and traders have absolute trust in each other. And even there is something which is known as insured. These are not insurance companies, but actually angadias, who insure diamonds for a nominal fee,” the official said. At times, angadias have also been robbed.

Besides mutual trust and respect, angadias do not ask the sender whether it is legal or illegal money. “Sending huge amounts of money through official channels like money order or direct bank transfer is not possible as it would come to the notice of taxmen. Hence, this is transfer through unofficial means, often termed hawala transaction, but again the line is very thin and every paisa that is transferred does not fall in the ambit of hawala money,” sources said.