Ahmedabad Burglary Linked to Sarpanch Election Funding in Rajasthan
In a startling development, the Ahmedabad police have uncovered that a recent high-value burglary in the city was allegedly orchestrated to finance an upcoming sarpanch election campaign in Rajasthan. This revelation adds a bizarre political twist to the criminal case, highlighting the lengths to which individuals may go for electoral gains.
Arrest and Recovery of Stolen Goods
The Zone-1 Local Crime Branch (LCB) took swift action by arresting a 24-year-old man from Rajasthan on Monday. The accused, identified as Dinesh Meena, a resident of Dungarpur district in Rajasthan, was apprehended for his alleged involvement in a break-in at Ghatlodia. During the operation, police successfully recovered stolen goods with a total value of Rs 38.63 lakh.
According to investigators, Meena confessed that the theft was committed with the explicit purpose of raising funds to defeat a rival candidate in his native village's sarpanch election. This admission sheds light on the motive behind the crime, connecting it directly to local political dynamics in Rajasthan.
Details of the Burglary Incident
The burglary occurred between January 22 and 25 at a bungalow located in New Nikita Park Society, Ghatlodia. The owner, Sanket Thakkar, was away in Rajkot with his family during this period, leaving the property vulnerable. Police reports indicate that Meena and his accomplices—Kamlesh Kalasuva and Ishwar Kalasuva—conducted extensive reconnaissance of the area for several days before executing the theft.
The perpetrators allegedly accessed the terrace, removed the glass pane of a ventilation window, and entered the locked house. Once inside, they stole gold ornaments worth Rs 12.7 lakh and silver jewellery valued at Rs 33,000. The meticulous planning and execution of the break-in suggest a premeditated crime aimed at securing substantial financial resources.
Investigation and Technical Surveillance
A case was promptly registered at the Ghatlodia police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Given the high value of the stolen property, the LCB team, led by Police Sub-Inspector G K Chavda, launched an intensive probe. Officers meticulously scanned footage from more than 200 CCTV cameras in the vicinity and employed advanced technical surveillance methods to track the suspects.
Investigators identified three men arriving on a motorcycle and parking near the targeted bungalow. By following the vehicle's trail, police were able to trace the suspects back to Rajasthan. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the LCB team detained Meena from Dungarpur and recovered a significant haul of stolen items.
Recovery of Stolen Property and Ongoing Efforts
The recovery included gold jewellery worth Rs 37.39 lakh, silver ornaments valued at Rs 84,255, a motorcycle priced at Rs 30,000, and a mobile phone worth Rs 10,000. This brought the total seizure to Rs 38.63 lakh, closely matching the estimated value of the stolen goods. During interrogation, Meena revealed that he and his associates had travelled from Dungarpur to Ahmedabad specifically to commit the theft, underscoring the planned nature of the crime.
Police efforts are currently underway to apprehend the two absconding accused, Kamlesh and Ishwar. Additionally, the Ahmedabad police are investigating whether this trio was involved in other thefts in Gujarat or Rajasthan, indicating a potential pattern of criminal activity linked to electoral funding.
This case highlights the intersection of crime and politics, raising concerns about the methods used to finance local elections. The Ahmedabad police's diligent work in solving this burglary serves as a reminder of the importance of robust law enforcement in addressing such complex issues.
