Mumbai Police arrest five for stealing MTNL copper cables worth Rs 30,000

Mumbai Police trace and arrest five accused in Rs 30,000 cable theft case (Pic/Special arrangement)

Mumbai Police have arrested five people for allegedly stealing 12 metres of copper communication cable belonging to Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL). As per the officials, the seized item is valued at approximately Rs 30,000.

According to the press note issued by D.B. Marg Police Station, the theft took place beneath Kennedy Bridge on S.V.P. Road, near Queen Mary School in the Grant Road area of Mumbai.

Following a complaint, the police registered a case on October 6, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, and launched an investigation.

Accused arrested from Nagpada

During the probe, the police used technical analysis and information received from confidential informers to trace the alleged gang involved in such thefts. The accused were subsequently arrested from Nagpada, Bandra and the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), the press release stated.

The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammed Ejaz Mohammed Isha Hajam, 39; Mohammed Shoaib Ahmed Sheikh, 51; Shah Alam Abdul Rashid Sheikh, 26; Ramzan Rafiq Khan, 26; and Azam Fakruddin Qureshi, 34.

The police said the stolen copper cable, measuring approximately 12 metres and valued at Rs 30,000, was recovered during the investigation. The press note also stated that cases involving similar offences have been registered against the accused at other police stations.

The operation was conducted under the guidance of senior police officers, including Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Manoj Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner of Police (South Region) Shailesh Balkawade, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ragsudha R. and Assistant Commissioner of Police Dnyaneshwar Wagh.

The investigation team included D.B. Marg Police Station's Senior Police Inspector Nitin Dalvi, Police Inspector (Crime) Prashant Patil, Assistant Police Inspectors Sumesha Pawar and Santosh Yevale, along with other police personnel.