Mumbai Police Nab Fishing Boat Owner in Major ONGC Offshore Theft Operation
The Yellowgate Police in Mumbai have made a significant arrest in connection with a high-value theft case targeting offshore installations of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) in the Arabian Sea. Chandrakant Dharmaji Patil, a 53-year-old fishing boat owner from Pen in Raigad district, has been taken into custody for allegedly orchestrating the theft of batteries, power cables, and other critical equipment worth approximately Rs 30.4 lakh.
Details of the Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Chandrakant Patil, who operates the fishing vessel Kaushalyacha Ram Shakti, was apprehended by authorities on Sunday. He was subsequently presented before the court on Monday, where he was remanded to police custody to facilitate further investigation. This arrest marks Patil as the second individual detained in this case, following the earlier arrest of Santosh Krishna Patil on March 11.
Police officials revealed that Chandrakant Patil's involvement came to light during the interrogation of Santosh Patil, who is currently in custody. Both accused have been formally charged under relevant sections of theft and the Maharashtra Police Act, highlighting the serious nature of the allegations.
Complaint and Investigation Findings
The case was initiated based on a complaint filed by Aditya Shankar, a senior security officer with ONGC, at the Yellow Gate Police Station. The complaint detailed that unknown perpetrators had stolen battery banks, power cables, and various equipment valued at around Rs 48.4 lakh from two unmanned ONGC platforms, NLM-10 and NLM-13, located in the Arabian Sea.
During police questioning, Chandrakant Patil allegedly confessed to using his fishing boat to access these offshore platforms. According to investigators, the modus operandi involved conducting daytime surveys of the platforms and returning under cover of darkness to pilfer items such as batteries, solar panels, cables, scrap iron, and fuel.
Operation Scale and Financial Gains
Authorities estimate that the theft ring had been active for nearly two years, systematically targeting multiple ONGC platforms. Police reports indicate that the gang stole between 800 to 1,000 batteries and other materials during their operations, generating substantial illicit profits of Rs 3 to 4 lakh per trip.
The stolen goods were allegedly sold to scrap dealers identified as Anwar, Riyaz, and Kalu alias Amin, with the proceeds being equally distributed among the perpetrators. This organized criminal activity underscores the challenges faced in securing remote offshore assets.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
In addition to the two arrested individuals, seven other crew members have been named as wanted accused in this case. Police have informed the court that custodial interrogation of Chandrakant Patil is crucial for several reasons:
- Recovering the stolen property to mitigate ONGC's losses.
- Locating and seizing the fishing boat used in the criminal activities.
- Identifying and apprehending the remaining suspects to dismantle the entire network.
This case highlights ongoing security concerns for critical infrastructure in maritime zones and the innovative methods employed by criminals to exploit such vulnerabilities. The investigation continues as authorities work to bring all involved parties to justice and prevent future incidents.
