Inter-state gang stealing UGVCL aluminium wires busted in Ahmedabad rural

An inter-state gang involved in large-scale theft of aluminium wires from UGVCL power lines across Viramgam, Mandal and Detroj talukas has been busted, with the arrest of four accused and seizure of stolen material and vehicles worth nearly ₹8 lakh.

Acting on specific instructions from Inspector General of Police (Ahmedabad Range) Vidhi Chaudhary and Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat to curb recurring thefts of power infrastructure, a special team was constituted under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Viramgam Division. The operation was carried out jointly by the Viramgam Division police and the Ahmedabad Rural Local Crime Branch (LCB).

Police said repeated incidents of aluminium wire theft from UGVCL lines had caused extensive damage to government property and disrupted power supply to farmers in several villages. Based on technical analysis and human intelligence, the team received inputs on January 20 that stolen aluminium wires were being transferred between two Bolero pickup vehicles near the Saurashtra Branch Canal, on the Melaj–Kalyanpura road.

A trap was laid and the police intercepted two Bolero pickup vehicles. Four men were found transferring aluminium power line wires from one vehicle to another. The police seized around 1,000 kg of aluminium wires, two pickup vehicles, eight mobile phones and tools used for cutting wires, including scissors and saws. The total value of seized property is estimated at ₹7.86 lakh.

The arrested accused have been identified as Bhawan Singh Rajput(40), Bharatbhai Sharma (30), Kalulala Gurjar (26), and Sareshchandra Gurjar (37), all natives of Rajasthan and currently residing at different locations in Gujarat. Four other members of the gang Deepu sharma, Gautam, Rahul and Uday are absconding.

Investigations revealed that the gang would conduct reconnaissance of targeted areas two to three days in advance. On the night of the theft, they would assemble after coordinating over phone calls, disconnect power supply by tampering with transformers, cut aluminium wires from poles using specialised tools, coil them and transport them in pickup vehicles.

Police said the accused have confessed to involvement in multiple thefts of aluminium wires across Viramgam, Mandal and Detroj between September and December, and at several other locations. Cases have been registered at Viramgam Rural police station under relevant sections of the Indian Electricity Act.

Officials said further investigation is under way to trace the absconding accused and to ascertain the full extent of the gang’s operations.