Ghaziabad Police Crack Down on Major Iron Rod Theft Ring at Wave City Construction Site
In a significant breakthrough, Ghaziabad police have arrested four members of a criminal gang accused of orchestrating a massive theft of approximately 50,550 kilograms of iron rods from a construction site in Wave City. The operation, which involved sophisticated electronic manipulation, has led to multiple arrests, though the alleged mastermind—identified as the cousin of scrap tycoon Ravi Kana—remains absconding.
Details of the Arrests and Accused Individuals
According to police officials, the arrested individuals have been identified as Aaftab (36), also known as Afzal, a resident of Masuri in Ghaziabad; Shahrukh (23), from Bulandshahr; and Naeem (24) and Wasid (25), both residents of Hapur. The investigation began after a case was registered at the Wave City police station on February 8, concerning the theft of iron rods from the Aditya Kutumbakam project site.
The complaint filed by the company alleged that employees and their associates manipulated a computerized weighbridge by installing electronic chips, resulting in the delivery of less material than what was paid for. This fraudulent activity allowed the gang to siphon off large quantities of iron rods over time.
Chronology of the Investigation and Key Recoveries
The police action unfolded swiftly following the registration of the case. On February 9, Shravan, an employee of Aditya World City, was arrested for his involvement in the theft. The next day, another accused, Babar Malik, a resident of Kaila Bhatta under Kotwali police station, was apprehended with three truck trailers (18-wheelers) containing 7,800 kilograms of the stolen iron rods. Authorities also recovered fake bills, electronic chips with remotes, and an Aura car from his possession, leading to his subsequent jailing.
Further progress came on February 16, when Aaftab was arrested from Meerut Mod based on a tip-off from an informer. From him, police seized two mobile phones, two electronic chips, ten remotes for operating the chips, soldering wire, a testing machine, two fake bills for stolen iron rods, and other equipment used in the theft. Based on information provided by Aaftab during interrogation, authorities seized three additional truck trailers with fake number plates near the Hamdard Ground parking in Lohiya Nagar, containing 44,550 kilograms of stolen iron rods. The drivers of these trucks were also arrested, bringing the total arrests to four.
Interrogation Revelations and Ongoing Manhunt
During interrogation, Aaftab disclosed that he used the illegal proceeds from the iron rod theft to purchase several plots of land, houses, four-wheelers, and multiple truck trailers. He revealed that he worked in partnership with Raju alias Rajkumar Adhana, who is the maternal cousin of Ravi Kana, a well-known scrap tycoon. Additional Commissioner of Police Keshav Chaudhary stated that a dedicated police team has been formed to apprehend Adhana and other co-accused who are still at large.
The accused have been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 61(2) for criminal conspiracy
- Section 318(4) for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property
- Section 336(3) for forgery for the purpose of cheating
- Section 338 for forgery of valuable security, will, etc.
- Section 340(2) for using as genuine a forged document or electronic record
- Section 345(3) for punishment for using a false property mark
- Section 317(2) for dishonestly receiving stolen property
This case highlights a sophisticated theft operation that exploited technological vulnerabilities in construction site logistics. The police continue their efforts to track down the remaining suspects and recover all stolen property, emphasizing their commitment to tackling organized crime in the region.
