ACCUSED of injuring old ladies and stealing cellphones, a gang of monkeys has been bullying residents of a Mumbai suburb for the past three months.

Gunavanti Vora, an 87-year-old resident of Vile Parle, a village on the outskirts of India's largest city, was shooing one of the perpetrators away from her window one afternoon, The Times of India reported, when the animal, attempting to steal a biscuit, knocked her down and left her with a fractured leg.

In a similar incident reported by the Times, a monkey broke an old woman’s hand while trying to steal the prasad - a religious food offering - she carried home from temple.

And the monkeys are not just snatching food.

Resident Meena Kothari told the paper: "I was taking an afternoon nap with the window slightly ajar. I woke up to find a monkey stroking my hand. I ran outdoors for help.

"Meanwhile, the monkey took my mobile and jumped out of the window. I called up my number. Alarmed by the vibrating mobile, the monkey dropped it on the terrace of the first floor.”

Locals have accused the authorities of failing to tackle the ongoing monkey mayhem. Police say residents are yet to lodge any official complaints.