The Raurkela Police have dismantled a notorious battery theft syndicate operating within the Raghunathpali police station limits, arresting six individuals, including three thieves and three suspected receivers.
Authorities recovered 20 heavy-duty truck and tractor batteries, two-wheelers, mobile phones, and break-in tools used in the crimes.
The operation was launched following an October 18 complaint by Panalal Patra of Jalda ‘A’ Block regarding two stolen batteries from his Hywa truck. Acting swiftly, police arrested the primary suspects: Roshan Hansdah (21), Avinash Lohar alias Fuklu (21), and Vivek Munda alias Biki (19). Seized from them were a TVS Apache motorcycle, a TVS NTORQ scooter, and tools linked to multiple open cases (FIR Nos. 79/2026, 144/2026, 476/2026, and 599/2026).
Subsequent raids led to the arrest of three alleged fence receivers: Mehboob Rehman Shah (22), Rouf Shah (62), and S.K. Perwez (42). The entire stash of 20 stolen batteries was recovered from their possession.
Police are continuing their interrogation to map out the syndicate’s wider network and verify their involvement in other vehicle component thefts across the region.
