Digital Policing Leads to Breakthrough in Serial Burglary Case
In a significant victory for digital policing, Bhilwara's Kotwali police successfully apprehended a notorious serial burglar on Wednesday through advanced technological intervention. The arrest of 40-year-old Pawan Meena, who faces charges in an astonishing 27 criminal cases, marks a milestone in how law enforcement is leveraging technology to combat organized crime.
The Investigation Unfolds
The breakthrough came when police were investigating a recent shop theft reported on November 18. The complainant, Parmanand, son of Govindram Gurunani, approached Kotwali police after discovering his establishment, Heera Traders in Bazaar Number 2, had been broken into. Upon reaching his shop that morning, he found the shutter locks forcibly broken and immediately alerted authorities.
Examination of CCTV footage revealed the theft had occurred around 5:15 am, with the perpetrator making off with Rs 2.45 lakh stolen directly from the cash box. The police registered a case under Sections 331(4) and 305(A) of the BNS and began their investigation in earnest.
Technology Provides the Crucial Lead
During detailed examination of the surveillance footage, investigators retrieved a clear frame showing the suspect's face. This image proved to be the turning point in the case. Officers used the Rajcop police application to match the facial image against their database, which positively identified the accused as Pawan Meena of Bada Uncha, Chhbada police station, Baran district.
Further investigation through the ICJS portal uncovered Meena's extensive criminal history. The records revealed his specialization in burglaries near railway stations and robberies targeting lone women in train compartments. His pattern of operating across multiple districts made him particularly challenging to track.
The Arrest and Recovery
Understanding his modus operandi, police mounted intensive surveillance at Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, and Ajmer railway stations. Their patience paid off when Meena returned to Bhilwara with intentions to commit another crime. He was promptly detained by the waiting police team.
During interrogation, Meena confessed to the crimes, and police recovered the iron folding rod he used to break the shop's locks. The special team, formed under Kotwali SHO Sunil Chaudhary following directions from ASP Paras Jain, successfully closed the case that had troubled local businesses.
Police officials noted that Meena had not been seen in his native village for years, making traditional investigation methods ineffective. SP Dharmendra Singh confirmed that district police have been instructed to intensify action in all pending theft cases, signaling a renewed crackdown on property crimes in the region.
