Lucknow police arrested two members of a gang on late Saturday for allegedly stealing nearly 72 streetlight poles across the city and selling them to scrap dealers over time.
Details of the Arrest
The accused were identified as Anjeet Rawat (23) and Shobhit Yadav (19), both residents of Baghamau village. They were apprehended near Bandha road with aluminium streetlight poles worth approximately ₹25,000 in their possession.
Complaint and Investigation
The case came to light after Sumant Singh, chief security officer of Shalimar Corp Ltd, filed a complaint on May 7, alleging that dozens of poles had gone missing from the steel yard of Shalimar One World township. During the investigation, police discovered that the accused, along with several accomplices, had allegedly stolen 72 steel and aluminium poles over a period and sold them to scrap dealers in and around the city, according to Sudheer Awasthi, SHO of Gomti Nagar extension.
Criminal Background
Both arrested individuals have prior criminal records. Anjeet Rawat was previously booked in a 2023 case involving rape, unnatural sex, extortion, and IT Act charges at Alambagh police station. Shobhit Yadav is named in a culpable homicide case registered in 2025 at Gomti Nagar Extension police station.
Ongoing Investigation
Police stated that seven other accused are still absconding, and efforts are underway to apprehend them and recover the stolen poles. Authorities are continuing their investigation to trace the remaining suspects and scrap dealers involved.
