Maharashtra: Trailer driver, cleaner arrested for siphoning iron rods worth Rs 52 lakh

Thane: The Thane city police arrested a trailer driver and his cleaner for allegedly siphoning off high-grade iron rods from a consignment they were transporting and then attempting to sell them on the grey market. Property and material collectively worth around Rs 52 lakh was seized in the operation.The accused were identified as Santosh Ramprakash Singh (48), a native of Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh, and Sheshkumar Basdev Verma (38), from Pratapgarh, UP.
According to the FIR lodged by transport businessman Lalji Kedarnath Jaiswal (48) of Ghatkopar, the duo were entrusted with transporting a consignment of JSW Neosteel 500D iron rods belonging to a company. The incident came to light on Feb 27 at around 9.30 am, when the accused allegedly diverted the trailer to an open plot opposite the Mahanagar Gas Pump at Bhayandarpada on Ghodbunder Road.Police said the duo began unloading select bundles of 16 mm iron rods with the intention of selling them for personal gain. Acting on specific information, a police team intercepted the vehicle and caught the accused at the spot while the material was being offloaded.Police launched a manhunt for four alleged accomplices named in the FIR — Naseem Chaudhary, Kalim Chaudhary, Saif, and Abdul Hakim Jameerulla Khan. alias Bakkal. Officials said they seized an 18-wheeler trailer valued at Rs 25 lakh, along with approximately 38.9 tonnes of iron rods worth Rs 23.7 lakh. Twenty-five bundles of 16 mm rods weighing around 370 kg, along with additional loose rods, were also recovered from the scene. The total value of the seized property was estimated at Rs 52 lakh.A case was registered under Sections 316(4) (criminal breach of trust by clerk or servant) and 3(5) (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The entire operation was carried out by a team from the Wagle Estate Crime Branch (Unit 5) and further investigation is underway. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's day wishes, messages and quotes !