₹1.5 crore power equipment theft in North Kolkata busted after dramatic Ganges chase

A dramatic police chase through narrow lanes and along the banks of the Ganges led to the arrest of four men accused of stealing electrical equipment and cables worth around ₹1.5 crore from a power company warehouse in Kashipur, North Kolkata. The theft occurred at a godown on Jheel Road, where cables and other equipment had allegedly been stolen over a period of time before the crime was detected during an audit.

According to police, detectives from the Anti-Theft Branch of the Lalbazar intelligence department tracked the suspects to Jyoti Colony in Chitpur. When officers moved in to arrest them, the accused attempted to flee through the maze-like lanes of the densely populated area. Locals reportedly threw water drums, chairs and other objects onto the streets in an attempt to block their escape as the police pursued them.

During the chase, the suspects ran towards the banks of the Ganges and jumped into the river in an attempt to evade arrest. Despite the daring escape attempt, investigators kept track of the group and launched searches in Dattapukur and nearby areas in North 24 Parganas. After multiple operations, police arrested four accused identified as Mohammad Rubel, Ibrahim Sheikh, Ashraf Morol and Jamirul Sheikh.

During further investigation, police also arrested Shambhunath Sau from Galif Street in Shyampukur and recovered part of the stolen equipment from him. Officers said efforts are ongoing to recover the remaining items and determine the full extent of the theft. The successful arrests were welcomed by employees of the power company, who even put up handwritten posters thanking the administration near the warehouse gate.