To fund sarpanch poll bid, Rajasthan man loots Rs 38 lakh from Gujarat home

A burglary in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad has taken a political twist after police arrested a Rajasthan man who allegedly travelled across state lines to steal gold and silver jewellery to fund expenses for an upcoming sarpanch election in his village.

The accused, identified as Dinesh Meena, was arrested by the local Crime Branch in connection with a January house break-in. Police said stolen property worth Rs 38 lakh has been recovered.

BREAK-IN AT LOCKED HOUSE

The theft took place in January when a family from Ghatlodia had travelled to Rajkot for a family function. During their absence, burglars allegedly entered the locked house by removing a ventilation grill on the terrace and decamped with gold and silver jewellery worth over Rs 13 lakh.

After the complaint was filed, the LCB launched an extensive investigation, scanning more than 200 CCTV cameras from different directions around the locality to trace the suspects.

Footage analysis revealed that three men had arrived on a motorcycle and fled the same way after the burglary. Investigators tracked the bike number and identified one of the suspects as a habitual offender.

GANG TRACED TO RAJASTHAN

Police said the trio belonged to Rajasthan and had previously lived in the same area in Ahmedabad, making them familiar with the locality. Acting on leads, officers travelled to Rajasthan and arrested Dinesh Meena.

During questioning, police found that Meena had travelled to Ahmedabad on a motorcycle with his associates Kamlesh and Ishwar. According to investigators, Kamlesh and Ishwar entered the house and carried out the theft while Meena assisted in the operation.

Police said Kamlesh is a habitual offender and is wanted in two to three other cases. Both Kamlesh and Ishwar remain absconding. All three accused are residents of the same village in Rajasthan and know each other well.

THEFT LINKED TO VILLAGE ELECTION EXPENSES

Investigators said the motive behind the crime was linked to the upcoming sarpanch elections in their native village. According to police, funds were needed to defeat an opposing candidate in the election, prompting the accused to plan the burglary.

Police said the trio conducted reconnaissance of locked houses for two days before targeting the Ghatlodia residence.

“The accused came from Rajasthan on a motorcycle to commit the theft. After examining more than 200 CCTV footages and tracking the bike number, we identified and arrested one accused. Stolen property worth Rs 38 lakh has been recovered,” an officer from the Zone 1 LCB said.

Efforts are underway to trace and arrest the remaining two accused.

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