Syndicate involved in large-scale theft of underground copper cables busted by the Sothern Range

 

In a significant crackdown on organized infrastructure theft, the Southern Range of the Crime Branch has successfully busted a syndicate involved in large-scale theft of underground copper cables belonging to MTNL, AIRTEL, and other telecom service providers. Five key members of the gang were arrested red-handed while attempting to excavate copper wire from the area of C.R. Park and Sarita Vihar. The accused are identified as (1) Sameer R/o Gazipur, Loni, U.P. (2) Amit R/o Loni, Ghaziabad, U.P. (Truck Driver) (3) Arif R/o Najafgarh, Delhi (4) Shakeel R/o Loni, Ghaziabad, U.P. (5) Amzad R/o Loni, Ghaziabad, U.P. and solved more than a dozen cases registered in various parts of Delhi. 1400 Kg copper wire has been recovered and Truck and JCB machine used for the excavation have been impounded. 

The Southern Range Crime Branch constituted a dedicated team led by Inspector Vijay Pal Dahiya under the overall supervision of ACP Girish Kaushik. The team, comprising SI Rajesh, ASI Krishan, ASI Vijumon, ASI Jagat Singh, HC Sanjay, HC Vipin, HC Sonvir, HC Umesh, HC Umesh, HC Manender and HC Charan, analyzed past incidents and identified a recurring pattern—most thefts were carried out during early morning hours using heavy machinery such as trucks and JCBs. 

 

In the morning of 28.07.2025, the team was on routine patrol in the C.R. Park area when they observed a group of individuals engaged in unauthorized digging. On spotting the police, several suspects fled the scene. However, two accused persons—Amit and Sameer—were successfully apprehended. Initially, they posed as MTNL contractors to mislead the police, but during sustained interrogation, they confessed to attempting copper wire theft. 

 

An MTNL official was immediately called to the spot, who confirmed that no authorized work was being carried out. A formal complaint was filed, and a case u/s 303(1)(2)/317(2)/3(5) BNS and 3 PDPP Act was registered at Police Station Crime Branch.  

 

Further on 2/8/25, three more accused viz. Arif, who is a receiver of stolen copper wire, and Shakeel and Amzad were arrested who are involved in this case. Arif and Shakeel have previous involvement with same modus operandi and were arrested in Distt Bhiwani, HR. 

 

During investigation, it was revealed that the accused and their associates have been involved in such thefts for the past two years and are based in Loni, Ghaziabad.  Further efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the remaining members of the gang.