Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: Fatorda Police have arrested six persons in connection with the theft of copper wires and other materials from BSNL pillar cabinets at Fatorda and several other locations in South Goa.
The case came to light after BSNL Sub-Divisional Engineer Sneha Gaonkar lodged a complaint on September 12 regarding a theft at the Fatorda Stadium Pillar near SFX Chapel. According to the complaint, unknown persons allegedly broke open the locks of BSNL pillar cabinets and stole TAG blocks and copper wires.
A case was registered at Fatorda Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and the Telecommunications Act.
As part of the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from the scene and nearby areas on September 22 and analysed photographs of suspected persons with technical assistance. On September 23, police traced three suspects and recovered a bag containing cutting equipment, reflective bibs, backpacks and track suits similar to those allegedly used during the offence.
The three arrested in the first phase were identified as Mohd Aslam, 34, Shahrukh Malik, 28, and Sahil Malik, 30, all residents of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
Police said the accused disclosed their involvement in similar thefts of copper wires from TAC blocks at Margao, Fatorda, Colva, Maina-Curtorim and Vasco. According to police, 10 FIRs had been registered at different police stations in South Goa in connection with similar thefts.
Further investigation led police teams to Meerut, Delhi and Satara. Three more suspects—Sameer, 23, Sakib, 24, and Hasnain, 24, all from Meerut—were traced in Satara with the assistance of local police and technical investigation.
Police said the three admitted to involvement in thefts from TAC blocks and BSNL pillars at several locations in South Goa, including Fatorda Junction, Seraulim, Colva, Verna, Zoriwada, Davarlim and Vasco.
The three suspects traced to Satara were subsequently arrested after police said they failed to disclose details about other accused persons and the alleged receiver of the stolen property.
In a recovery operation conducted on September 27, based on a disclosure by Mohd Aslam, police recovered and seized approximately 165.190 kg of copper wires and metal materials. The seized property has been kept in safe custody at Fatorda Police Station.
Police also issued a notice to the alleged receiver of the stolen property, identified as Sabir alias Ghasita Malik of Meerut. As he was reported to be absconding, the notice was served on his father.
The investigation was conducted under the supervision of Superintendent of Police (South) Akshat Aayush, SDPO Margao Siddhanth Shirodkar, PI Fatorda Rahul S. Naik and Investigation Officer PSI Ramrai Naik, with technical assistance from CMC South Margao staff.If you want, I can also make this more newspaper-style with a sharper intro and shorter paragraphs.
