Over 600 CCTVs analysed, eight burglary cases cracked: Gujarat Police arrest two Chikhligar gang members

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Ahmedabad, Aug 2 (IANS) The Ahmedabad police on Sunday solved eight previously undetected burglary and vehicle theft cases after a two-day investigation that involved examining more than 600 CCTV camera recordings, leading to the arrest of two alleged members of the notorious Chikhligar gang and the recovery of stolen property worth Rs 20.30 lakh.

The investigation was launched after a burglary case was registered at Ramol Police Station on July 29 under Sections 305(A), 331(4) and 54 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Acting on the directions of senior Ahmedabad City Police officers, teams were formed to identify the suspects.

Under the supervision of Police Inspector V.D. Mori and Senior Police Inspector M.R. Chaudhary, the Ramol Police surveillance squad, the Zone-8 Local Crime Branch (LCB) and the surveillance team of Vatva GIDC Police Station analysed CCTV footage from the crime site and suspected escape routes.

Investigators examined more than 600 camera recordings and also relied on technical intelligence, human sources and assistance from Trinetra Gandhinagar to identify the accused.

Based on specific intelligence developed during the investigation, a police team travelled to Anand district and arrested Ajaysingh alias Illo Sardar, 31, a resident of Navi Nagri in Khambhat taluka.

During questioning, police said he confessed to committing the Ramol burglary along with Arjun Banjara, 29, of Nadiad taluka in Kheda district, and Shersingh alias Sheru Sardar of Khambhat.

According to the police, the trio was also involved in a series of house-breaking thefts across different parts of Ahmedabad.

Police subsequently arrested Arjun Banjara from Surat, while Shersingh remains wanted.

The police recovered 18 tolas of stolen gold jewellery valued at Rs 18 lakh, Rs two lakh in cash, a stolen motorcycle worth Rs 30,000 and a digital video recorder (DVR), taking the total value of the recovered property to Rs 20.30 lakh.

According to Ramol Police, the arrests led to the detection of eight previously unsolved cases, including three registered at Ramol Police Station, three at Vatva GIDC Police Station and two at Amraiwadi Police Station.

The cases involve offences under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to house-breaking, theft and allied offences.

Police records also show that the accused have previous criminal cases registered against them in several districts of Gujarat.

Ajaysingh alias Illo Sardar is named in nine earlier cases, including burglary, theft, gambling and other offences registered in Anand, Kheda, Surendranagar and Mahisagar districts.

Arjun Banjara has 14 previous cases registered in districts including Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Rajkot and Amreli, while the wanted accused, Shersingh alias Sheru Kalusing Sardar, is wanted in connection with three earlier cases.

Further investigation is ongoing.

–IANS

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Army Chief felicitates civil staff for exemplary service

New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) In a heartfelt ceremony held at South Block here, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi, in the presence of all Army Commanders, felicitated three long-serving members of the civil support staff for their unwavering dedication and contribution to the Indian Army’s administrative excellence.

The honourees included Nand Kishore, who has been associated with the organisation for nearly 40 years, Ganesh Parihar and Pinku Choudhary, each of whom have served for over 15 years. Their roles, though behind the scenes, have been instrumental in maintaining the dignity, vibrancy, and operational efficiency of the Army’s office spaces in South Block.

General Dwivedi, who assumed office as the 30th Chief of Army Staff on June 30, 2024, emphasised the importance of recognising every individual who contributes to the Army’s ethos — whether in uniform or civilian attire.

He noted that the quiet efforts of support staff bring grace, freshness, and warmth to the workplace, reinforcing the Army’s values of discipline, precision, and pride in service.

The felicitation ceremony was not just a token of gratitude but a reaffirmation of the Indian Army’s inclusive culture that honours commitment across all ranks and roles.

It highlighted the Army’s enduring tradition of acknowledging the contributions of those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to uphold the institution’s standards. This gesture comes amid a series of initiatives led by General Dwivedi to strengthen civil-military integration and promote a culture of appreciation within the armed forces.

His leadership has been marked by a focus on modernisation, operational readiness, and holistic welfare of personnel across the board.

The event served as a reminder that excellence in service is not confined to the battlefield but is equally vital in the corridors of administration, where silent dedication ensures the smooth functioning of one of India’s most revered institutions.

By honouring these individuals, the Army reaffirmed its belief that every role—no matter how humble—is vital to its mission. Such gestures foster a culture of respect and unity across all levels of the organisation.

–IANS

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77,000 beneficiaries register for PM Surya Ghar Yojana in Varanasi, enjoying reduced electricity bills & subsidies

Varanasi, Jan 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana continues to make waves in Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency, with 77,000 beneficiaries already registered under the scheme.

The initiative aims to provide solar power solutions to households, significantly cutting electricity bills while boosting sustainable energy usage. The Varanasi administration is ensuring that this scheme reaches every home, with solar panels already installed in 11,000 houses, and more in the pipeline.

The beneficiaries of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana are delighted by the impact, with many reporting substantial savings on their electricity bills, thanks to the installation of solar panels. Subsidies are also being credited to their accounts within a week of registration, further enhancing the scheme’s appeal.

Anumati, a beneficiary from Om Nagar, shared her experience, saying, “We were already considering solar panels before this scheme was announced, and it was a pleasant coincidence that we installed them on the day of the Pran Pratishtha of Lord Shri Ram ji. Before installation, our electricity bills were around Rs 2000 to 2500, but after the solar panels were installed, the bill dropped to just Rs 500. Now, even when the bill increases, it rarely exceeds Rs 2500 to Rs 3000—saving us around Rs 3000 per month. We are truly grateful to the Prime Minister for this scheme. The subsidy arrived in just 15 days, and the entire process was smooth.”

Abhishek, another beneficiary, revealed how the solar panels had transformed his electricity usage: “My monthly bill used to be between Rs 24,000 and Rs 25,000. After installing the solar system, I got a 10-kilowatt connection, and now my bills have drastically reduced. In winter, my electricity units are even being saved. I can say that this is a truly praiseworthy scheme, and I hope many more people take advantage of it.”

The success of the scheme is also being echoed by Himanshu Nagpal, Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Varanasi. He highlighted that over 45,000 beneficiaries have filled out applications, with 11,000 homes already benefiting from the solar installations.

“This scheme has been implemented successfully in Varanasi, and PM Modi has consistently reviewed its progress. We are seeing remarkable results, with some beneficiaries even reporting zero electricity bills. The subsidies, combined with the financing options, are making solar energy accessible to all,” said Nagpal.

Under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, the government provides a subsidy of Rs 78,000 for up to three kilowatts of solar power from the central government and an additional Rs 30,000 from the state government. This makes it easier for families to transition to solar power without upfront costs. Moreover, banks like the Bank of Baroda, the State Bank of India, and the Punjab National Bank offer loan facilities for solar panel installations, ensuring that no one is left behind.

The solar installations are expected to continue at a fast pace, with plans to transform Kashi into a solar-powered city. “Our goal is to expand this initiative to rural areas and make villages solar villages. We are also working with companies to arrange for the installation of solar panels in homes under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana,” Nagpal added.

The PM Surya Ghar Yojana is not just about providing electricity; it is part of a larger vision to make India a leader in renewable energy. By 2027, the government aims to supply solar power to one crore households, contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.

–IANS

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Kerala professor heaves sigh of relief after being cleared in 11-year-old ‘sexual harassment’ case

Thodupuzha, Sep 2 (IANS) In a significant judgment, a court in Kerala’s Thodupuzha has acquitted Professor Anand Viswanathan, former head of the Economics Department at the Munnar Government College, in a sexual harassment case that had lingered for more than a decade.

The Additional Sessions Court ruled that the complaints lodged against him by students in 2014 were false and part of a larger political conspiracy.

The case originated in August 2014, when five women students accused Viswanathan of sexual harassment during their MA Economics second-semester examination.

According to their complaint, he had harassed them in the exam hall, threatened to implicate them in a malpractice case, and warned that he would withhold internal marks.

Based on these allegations, Munnar police registered four cases, and charge sheets were later filed before the Devikulam Magistrate Court.

Earlier, Viswanathan had been acquitted in two of the cases, but in the remaining two, he was convicted, receiving a three-year jail sentence and a fine of Rs 5,000. In 2021, he appealed against the conviction.

The Additional Sessions Court, while reviewing the appeal, observed that the students’ complaints stemmed from a grudge after they were caught copying during the August 2014 examination.

A university-level inquiry had also found the allegations unsubstantiated. Criticising the handling of the case, the court said the harassment charges were fabricated as part of a political vendetta and that the college Principal colluded in the effort.

It further remarked that the police had failed in their duty and appeared to act under political influence.

Speaking to the media, Viswanathan said his family stood by him.

“The complaint against me was written in the CPI-M office. The College principal also did wrong. Using political influence, including local MLA Rajendran, they framed me. Now I am relieved as it was a clean case of being framed for doing my duty,” said Viswanathan.

Viswanathan has long maintained that the case was engineered to target him and that there was a conspiracy.

The acquittal, delivered after 11 years of legal struggle, has vindicated the professor, with the court categorically stating that he was falsely implicated in order to “settle scores”.

–IANS

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