Pune Crime Files: Historic EVM Theft Exposes Security Flaws in Government Strong Room
In a bizarre and unprecedented incident that rattled the police and government machinery in Pune, thieves who broke into a government strong room for cash inadvertently walked away with an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). This first-of-its-kind theft from a tehsildar's office in Maharashtra, occurring ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, has raised serious questions about security protocols and preparedness.
The Weekend Heist That Shook Authorities
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed at Saswad police station by Santosh Sanap, the Naib Tehsildar of Purandar, the EVM valued at Rs 18,500 was stolen on February 5, 2024. The complaint detailed that the lock of the strong room at the tehsildar's office was found broken that morning. Upon inspection, government officials discovered one EVM missing from the secure storage.
CCTV footage allegedly captured three men committing the theft on the night of February 3, a Saturday. Alarmingly, a policeman and a home guard assigned to guard duty were absent from the spot during the incident, highlighting negligence in security arrangements.
Swift Police Action and Surprising Discovery
Soon after the theft came to light, top police and government officials in Pune visited the crime scene, launching an intensive search. Police teams, led by Inspector Avinash Shilimkar of the Local Crime Branch (LCB), scanned CCTV cameras across a 27-km area. They traced the accused to the Saswad–Malshiras area on a motorcycle.
Following this lead, officers arrested two men—Shivaji Bandgar alias Bhaiyya and Ajinkya Salunkhe, both from Purandar—and recovered the stolen EVM. Later, a third accused was apprehended. Investigators noted that the EVM was not damaged, and the thieves had no intention to steal the voting machine.
Vinod Mahangade, then Assistant Police Inspector at Saswad station, revealed that the probe indicated the accused aimed to steal money from the treasury room. "Instead, they broke into the strong room and made away with an EVM. Stealing an EVM from a government office was certainly a serious offence. The police arrested them quickly and solved the case," he added.
A police officer stated that the accused claimed to have stolen the briefcase-like box containing the voting machine, mistaking it for money. There were also suspicions that the accused were drunk during the crime.
Security Lapses and Electoral Implications
The EVMs had been at the tehsildar's office since December 2023 for training and voter awareness sessions before the Lok Sabha elections. A total of 40 EVMs were stored in the strong room, where strict security protocols were expected from government and police officials. However, this theft exposed gaping holes in the security arrangements.
A subsequent probe led to the suspension of a police guard over negligence. Taking serious note, the Election Commission of India (ECI) directed the Maharashtra Chief Secretary to seek explanations from the district collector and Superintendent of Police for failing to maintain security at the strongroom.
Following ECI communication, a sub-divisional officer, a tehsildar, and a sub-divisional police officer from Purandar were also placed under suspension, though this was later quashed by the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal (MAT).
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Fallout
All three accused, denied bail, remain in jail. "A chargesheet has been filed against them. The matter is before a court in Pune," said Inspector Shilimkar, who was nominated for the President's Medal for Distinguished Service ahead of the 77th Republic Day celebrations.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in safeguarding critical electoral equipment. It underscores the need for enhanced vigilance and robust security measures, especially during election periods, to prevent such breaches in the future.
