Police intercept inter-state gang for UGVCL aluminium wires theft in rural Ahmedabad

The Ahmedabad Police have intercepted members of an inter-state gang involved in repeated thefts of aluminium wires from UGVCL power lines in Viramgam, Mandal and Detroj talukas, arresting four persons and recovering stolen material and vehicles worth nearly INR 8 lakhs (USD 800,000). 

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The Ahmedabad Range Inspector General and the Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police led the operation to curb damage to power infrastructure. A special team from the Viramgam Division that was working with the Ahmedabad Rural Local Crime Branch received information on January 20 that stolen aluminium wires were being smuggled between two Bolero pickup vehicles near the Saurashtra Branch Canal, on the Melaj-Kalyanpura road.

The police have seized around 1,000 kg (1 tonne) of aluminium wires, two vehicles, eight mobile phones and cutting tools. The total recovery is valued at INR 7.86 lakhs (USD 786,000).

The miscreants were identified as Bhawan Singh Rajput, Bharatbhai Sharma, Kalulala Gurjar and Sareshchandra Gurjar. Originally hailing from Rajasthan, they were operating for a larger network. Four other gang members are still absconding.

According to investigations, the group would reach targeted areas, carry out reconnaissance 2 to 3 days in advance. They disabled the power supply by tampering with transformers and used specialised tools to cut and transport aluminium wires at night.

The accused have confessed to multiple thefts of aluminium wires from UGVCL lines in the reported areas between September and December, which caused electricity supply disruption to farmers and significant damage to government infrastructure. Further investigation is ongoing to trace the remaining suspects and establish the full scale of the operation. 

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