Gang of underground telephone cable thieves busted

NEW DELHI - Delhi Police Sunday claimed to have busted a gang involved in stealing underground telephone cables, with the arrest of five thieves and a scrap dealer. Over 300 kg of telephone cable was recovered from their possession.

Kishori, 35, a labour contractor, Parsu Ram, 21, Raju Thapa, 24, Ram Kishan Bahadur, 24, Aakash, 20, and Rajender, 44, a scrap dealer and buyer of the stolen cables were arrested in south Delhi Saturday.

According to police, the incidents of underground cable theft came to light after a complaint was received from an MTNL official June 21.

“Such incidents have also occurred in various other areas in Delhi and many gangs are involved in this crime,” a senior police officer said.

MTNL officials were consulted to understand how these cables are laid and who all are involved in this work beside the MTNL staff.

“A few labour contractors who had once worked with MTNL are the main conspirators behind these incidents,” the officer said.

Based on specific information police laid a trap where the gang was supposed to strike and when they, in the garb of MTNL officials, started to steal the underground cable, they were arrested.

“A kabari (scrap dealer) who received the stolen property has also been arrested,” the officer added.

Police has recovered 300 kg stolen MTNL underground cable worth Rs.5 lakh and a vehicle used in transporting the stolen cable.