Mangaluru Police Crack Down on Major BSNL Copper Cable Theft
In a significant breakthrough, the Mangaluru South police have successfully apprehended three individuals accused of orchestrating a substantial theft of copper cables from the BSNL office premises located in Pandeshwara, Mangaluru. The stolen property is valued at an estimated Rs 70 lakh, marking this as a high-value criminal case that has drawn considerable attention from local authorities.
Details of the Arrested Suspects
The police have identified the arrested individuals as Manjuntha D, aged 29, from Ekkuru; KK Chami, aged 59, from Mattannur in Kannur district, Kerala; and Tanveer Pasha, aged 50, from Hassan. Their arrests came after a meticulous investigation launched in response to a formal complaint filed regarding the theft.
Timeline of the Theft and Investigation
The incident came to light when Vinodha Shekhar Naik, a junior telecom officer at the BSNL office in Pandeshwar, lodged a complaint on February 16. According to the complaint, the copper cables were suspected to have been stolen over a period spanning from December 1, 2025, to February 14. This timeframe indicates a prolonged and calculated operation by the perpetrators.
Following the complaint, a case was registered under Section 303(2) (theft) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), underscoring the seriousness of the offense. A dedicated police team swiftly moved into action, leading to the successful arrest of the suspects on February 18, just two days after the complaint was filed.
Recovery of Stolen Goods and Proceeds
During the arrest, the police made significant recoveries, including:
- 45 kilograms of copper cables valued at approximately Rs 2.5 lakh.
- Rs 10 lakh in cash, which the suspects had allegedly received from selling the stolen items.
These recoveries are crucial in building the case against the accused and highlight the extent of the theft. The police have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing to trace any remaining stolen materials or accomplices.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The arrested individuals were promptly produced before a local court, as confirmed by the police. Legal proceedings are now underway, with authorities working to ensure a thorough prosecution under the relevant sections of the BNS. This case serves as a stern warning against such thefts, particularly those targeting critical infrastructure like telecommunications.
The Mangaluru South police have commended their team for the swift action and urged the public to report any suspicious activities around government or private properties to prevent similar incidents in the future.
