Dumka: In a major operation, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) apprehended two individuals and recovered 174 stolen mobile phones valued at approximately Rs 59 lakh from Barharwa railway station in Sahibganj district, officials confirmed on Friday.
Operation Details
Sanjeev Kumar, Inspector of the RPF Barharwa post, stated that the recovery occurred during a special checking drive on a general coach of the 13403 Up Ranchi-Bhagalpur Vananchal Express. Acting on a tip-off, the search was conducted between Gumani and Barharwa railway stations.
Accused Identified
The arrested individuals were identified as Mohammad Nasaruddin Sheikh, 28, and Mohammad Rahmat Sheikh, 23, both residents of Kaliachak in Malda district, West Bengal. They were taken into custody after failing to present valid ownership documents or provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing the phones.
The suspects were carrying backpacks and attempted to disembark from the moving train upon spotting RPF personnel, but were quickly apprehended.
Recovery of Phones
“A search of their bags at Barharwa railway station led to the recovery of 174 used Android mobile phones, of which 85 phones were found in the possession of Nasaruddin and 89 phones were recovered from Rahmat,” Kumar said.
The phones were seized under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Both the devices and the accused were handed over to the Government Railway Police (GRP), Barharwa, for further legal proceedings.
Investigation Ongoing
Investigators suspect the phones may be linked to an organized mobile theft racket operating across multiple regions. Efforts are underway to trace the source of the devices and identify other individuals involved in the syndicate’s collection and sale network.
The accused are residents of Malda district in West Bengal. The RPF continues to investigate the case.
