5 wanted train-theft gang members held at Delhi airport
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested five members of an inter-state gang allegedly involved in stealing gold, cash and valuables from passengers travelling on long-distance trains, an official said on Tuesday.
Police said the accused were wanted in a case lodged at Maharashtra's Miraj Railway police station last month.
"The Miraj Railway police had registered an FIR on November 26 after jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh was stolen from a train in Pune. Investigators later learnt that the five suspects had flown to Goa and were scheduled to land in Delhi on Sunday," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said in a statement.
The officer further said after information from the Miraj Railway police, a team was dispatched to the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The team kept surveillance at the airport and detained the suspects soon after they arrived.
"The accused were identified as Hawa Singh (65), Amit Kumar (35), Kuldeep (34), Ajay (36) and Monu (32), all residents of Haryana's Jind and Bhiwani districts," the DCP said.
During their search, police seized 177 grams of silver articles, which the accused admitted were stolen from passengers in another incident. Four of the accused -- Singh, Kumar, Ajay and Monu -- confessed to their involvement in the Maharashtra case and were arrested. The news of their arrest has been conveyed to the Miraj Railway police.
Police said the gang was notorious for targeting passengers travelling in air-conditioned coaches of long-distance trains, especially those carrying jewellery and expensive belongings. They frequently travelled across states by trains and buses, blending in with passengers while identifying targets and stealing from bags and luggage.
All five accused are repeat offenders involved in multiple thefts reported from trains across different states. Further investigation is underway.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
