Ahmedabad’s Vasna police have arrested four people for allegedly attempting to steal copper cable from a BSNL underground duct by posing as Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) employees. Police said the accused allegedly used a crane to open the BSNL duct and cut around 220 metres of copper cable containing 1,200 pairs. The cable and crane seized in the case are valued at approximately Rs 31 lakh.
The incident took place around 2 am on August 15 near G.B. Shah College and Gathiya Rath in the Vasna area. According to the complaint filed by BSNL divisional engineer Rameshbhai Kanjibhai Zala, a BSNL employee informed him during the night that several people had arrived at the site with a crane and were allegedly removing copper cable.
Zala reached the location and, according to the complaint, saw some people using the crane to pull out the cable. He then alerted the police control room. When the police team arrived, some of the suspects allegedly fled, while four people were detained at the spot.
The arrested accused have been identified as Ravikant Udaybhan Sharma (38), Vishnu Gyasiram Yadav (38), Jitesh Jogendrasinh Yadav (24) and Rahul Jaytibhai Bharwad (28). Police said Ravikant works as a crane helper, Vishnu and Jitesh are crane drivers, while Rahul is engaged in animal husbandry.
Security guard allegedly misled with AMC identity
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly told security guard Kamlesh Manat that they were AMC employees. They allegedly used this false identity to gain access to the BSNL duct and then began cutting the cable.
Police said that during questioning, three of the accused allegedly stated that they were removing the BSNL wires on Rahul Bharwad’s instructions and that Rahul was supposed to take the stolen cable away. These details are part of the police investigation and allegations recorded in the case.
Around 220 metres of 1,200-pair copper cable was found cut at the spot. The cable has been valued at approximately Rs 7 lakh. Police also seized a saffron-coloured crane, valued at around Rs 24 lakh.
Other items recovered from the site included five helmets, four iron chains, six iron saws, one baton light, one hammer and one torch.
FIR registered under BNS and public property damage law
Based on the complaint, Vasna police registered an FIR under Sections 303(2), 324(5), 204(2) and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 3(2) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.
Police said the arrests helped crack an unsolved case involving the alleged theft of BSNL property. Further investigation is underway to establish the role of other unidentified persons who may have been involved in the incident.