Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrests history-sheeter behind Ranip post office burglary; pistol, cartridges recovered

The Detection of Crime Branch in Ahmedabad has arrested a wanted accused in connection with a burglary at the Ranip Post Office, officials said on Thursday. A country-made pistol, five cartridges and a car were seized from his possession during the operation.

The accused, identified as Kishore Kumar alias K K Panchal, 33, a native of Deesa in Banaskantha district, was apprehended from the Chandkheda area following specific inputs received during routine patrolling.

According to the Crime Branch, Panchal was wanted in a burglary case registered at Ranip Police Station in 2024. The case pertains to a break-in at the Ranip post office, registered under sections related to house-breaking and theft.

During the arrest, police recovered a country-made pistol valued at around ₹25,000 and five live cartridges worth approximately ₹500. Officers also seized a Tata Tiago car estimated to be worth about ₹7 lakh. The total value of the seized items is pegged at around ₹7.25 lakh.

Following the seizure, a case was filed under Arms Act, 1959 at the Detection of Crime Branch Police Station.

Police said Panchal is also linked to another offence involving a burglary at the Vijapur Post Office, which is currently under investigation.

Investigators added that another accused, identified as Shakeel Sadikbhai Chauhan, a resident of Palanpur in Banaskantha district, is absconding in connection with the case.

Officials said Panchal has an extensive criminal record spanning several police stations across Gujarat and other states. Police records show that more than two dozen offences including burglary, theft, robbery, attempt to murder and illegal possession of arms have been registered against him since 2015.

The accused has previously been booked at police stations in Ahmedabad, Banaskantha and Vadodara districts, as well as in Mysuru in Karnataka, officials said.

Police are now questioning Panchal to gather further information about the burglary cases and to trace his associates. Efforts are also under way to locate and arrest the absconding co-accused, officers added.