Paanch Qaidi: Once upon a time in a village a dacoit named Daku Mangal Singh (Ranjeet) harasses the villagers for lagaan, When Inspector-in-charge Vijay (Girish Karnad) gets transferred to that village he encounters Daku Mangal Singh (Ranjeet) and makes a plan to set the village free of the menace. This story is about five criminals who were taken by the inspector-in-charge Vijay for help to the village. Inspector Vijay take those criminals at his own risk as the higher authority denies his approval. Daku Mangal Singh also exploits women in the village. Does Vijay succeed in his mission.