Surat Man Arrested for Allegedly Burning Madrassa Office and Stealing Rs 7.5 Lakh
In a shocking incident in Surat, the Bhestan police have apprehended a 52-year-old man for his alleged involvement in a case of arson and theft at a local madrassa. The accused is suspected of setting the madrassa office on fire and making off with a substantial sum of Rs 7.5 lakh in cash.
Early Morning Fire and Initial Suspicions
The incident unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday when Raees Pathan, the 60-year-old secretary of Darul Uloom Gousiya Lilbanat madrassa in Bhestan, was alerted about a fire at the premises around 4 am. Pathan, who also owns a transport business in Surat, rushed to the scene. After firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control, he discovered that the office and adjacent rooms had been severely damaged, with documents, computers, and furniture completely gutted.
Initially, Pathan suspected the fire might have been caused by an electrical short circuit. He feared that the Rs 7.5 lakh in cash, which was stored in a cupboard, had been destroyed in the flames. However, his suspicions took a turn when he noticed that the CCTV DVR system had been tampered with and removed from its original location, prompting him to investigate further.
CCTV Footage Reveals Crucial Evidence
To uncover the truth, Pathan reviewed CCTV footage from a mosque situated directly opposite the madrassa. The footage provided a breakthrough, showing a man entering the building around 2:30 am and leaving shortly before the fire erupted. Armed with this critical evidence, Pathan immediately reported the matter to the police, leading to a swift investigation.
Police Investigation and Arrest
During their probe, the police identified the suspect as Abdul Manihar. According to authorities, Manihar allegedly trespassed into the madrassa premises, deliberately set the office on fire, and stole the Rs 7.5 lakh. Police inspector Alpesh Gabani stated that the fire is believed to have been started intentionally to conceal the theft, suggesting a premeditated act.
Further investigation revealed that Manihar had been involved in a dispute with the madrassa manager approximately a month prior to the incident. Both parties had visited the police station to address the quarrel, but no formal complaint was filed, and the matter was reportedly settled amicably. Police are now delving deeper to determine the exact motive behind the arson and theft, considering this prior conflict as a potential factor.
Background of the Accused and Recovery Efforts
In preliminary inquiries, police discovered that Abdul Manihar had allegedly distributed around Rs 3 lakh of the stolen money to two of his acquaintances. Manihar, who was previously engaged in the scrap business, currently operates a perfume shop. The police are actively working to recover the remaining stolen funds and gather more evidence to build a strong case against him.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting concerns over security and safety in religious and educational institutions. The Bhestan police have assured that they are taking all necessary steps to ensure justice is served and prevent such occurrences in the future.
