10 thieves pose as BSNL workers to steal cables, nabbed
Times of India | 13 January 2025
Kolkata: Ten members of a gang of cable thieves from Bihar, who posed as BSNL maintenance workers to steal underground cables in Kolkata's Haridevpur area, were arrested by the South West Division (Behala) police on Sunday morning.
They were apprehended following a complaint from BSNL's divisional engineer of the concerned Behala and Joka division.
The gang systematically stole BSNL underground cables during night-time operations. "They (the accused) disguised themselves as maintenance workers carrying out urgent repairs. They would flee the scene by morning in a truck loaded with stolen cables," said DC (SWD-Behala) Rahul De.
Acting on credible intelligence inputs, Haridevpur Police conducted a raid, leading to the arrests. Police recovered a substantial quantity of stolen cables, soil digging vibrator machinery, safety gear, spades, and various iron instruments from their possession. A goods vehicle (WB19 D 4841) used for transporting the stolen materials was also seized.
During interrogation, the suspects revealed they travelled from Bihar specifically to steal underground cables for their copper content.
The case has been registered under sections 305(e)/54 of BNS at Haridevpur Police Station, cops said. "We are currently investigating to identify and apprehend other associates and the kingpin of this new gang," said a senior police official. The incident has highlighted the growing concern over organised cable theft in the region, which not only causes significant financial losses to BSNL but also disrupts essential telecommunication services for residents. Police are continuing their investigation to uncover the full extent of the operation and potential connections to similar incidents in other areas.