Absconding Life Convict From Godhra Train Carnage Case Arrested In Pune
Absconding Life Convict From Godhra Train Carnage Case Arrested In Pune
A convict from the Gujarat Godhra massacre case, who had been on parole, was caught committing thefts in Maharashtra along with an interstate gang by the Alephata Police. Crimes reported at Alephata, Manchar, and Sinnar police stations were solved, and stolen goods worth ₹14,40,878 were seized, marking a significant achievement for Alephata Police.
On January 7, 2025, between 3:30 AM and 7:00 AM, within the jurisdiction of Alephata Police Station at Mouje Ane village, Taluka Junnar, District Pune, the complainant Somnath Narayan Gaikwad, 30, a driver from Karkamb, Taluka Pandharpur, District Solapur, was transporting 165 tires from JK Tyres & Industries Ltd., Shakti Logistic Park, Bhiwandi, to Solapur in his Eicher tempo (MH 05 DK 7633). Feeling drowsy, he parked the vehicle near an Indian Oil petrol pump and fell asleep. Unknown thieves cut the rear tarpaulin and ropes of the tempo and stole 18 small TL model Plex tires and 22 large TL model tires with tubes, amounting to ₹2,49,622. An FIR (No. 06/2025) was registered under Section 303(2) of the Indian Penal Code, 2023, at Alephata Police Station.
During the investigation, similar cases were found at Manchar and Sinnar Police Stations, where goods were stolen from vehicles parked near dhabas and petrol pumps by cutting the rear tarpaulin. The identical modus operandi suggested the involvement of the same gang. Confidential informants revealed that the gang originated from Godhra, Gujarat. Using technical surveillance, it was discovered that the crime was committed using an Eicher tempo (GJ 14 X 8853). The vehicle was traced to Chandwad, Nashik, where five suspects were arrested: Salim alias Salman Yusuf Zarda (55), Sahil Hanif Pathan (21), Sufiyan Sikandar Chadki (23), Ayub Isag Sunthiya (29), Irfan Abdulhamid Durvesh (41), and all residents of Godhra Panchmahal, Gujarat.
Upon thorough interrogation, the accused confessed to the thefts at Alephata, Manchar, and Sinnar police jurisdictions.
