An ITI student on an apprenticeship at the Sector 8 police station in Faridabad stole 32 arms from the station's malkhana (arms store), leading to the arrest of 20 individuals, including the student's girlfriend. All accused are currently in judicial custody.
How the Theft Occurred
The trainee, identified as Bijendra Singh, was working as an apprentice at the police station. He allegedly exploited his access to the malkhana to steal the weapons over a period of time. The theft came to light during a routine inventory check, after which an investigation was launched.
Arrests and Recoveries
Police arrested 20 people in connection with the case, including the trainee's girlfriend. Authorities have recovered a significant portion of the stolen arms. According to a senior police officer, "The accused had planned to sell the weapons, but we acted swiftly to prevent that." The investigation revealed that the trainee had been smuggling the weapons out of the station in small batches.
Security Lapses at the Police Station
The Sector 8 police station is equipped with CCTV cameras, but it appears that the footage was never reviewed. This lapse allowed the theft to go unnoticed for an extended period. The incident has raised serious questions about security protocols at police stations, particularly regarding the handling of weapons in malkhanas.
Police Action and Suspensions
Following the discovery, the police suspended Bijendra Singh and initiated a departmental inquiry. Additional security measures have been implemented at the station, including stricter access controls and regular audits of the malkhana. The Crime Branch is also investigating whether any other personnel were involved in the theft.
Legal Proceedings
All 20 accused have been produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody. The police have filed a chargesheet detailing the theft and the recovery of weapons. The case is being closely monitored by senior police officials, who have assured that all necessary steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
