Central Railway RPF Team busts gang of thieves & crack theft case in two different operations

Central Railway RPF Team busts gang of thieves & crack theft case in two different operations

The Central Railway RPF Team in co-ordination with the GRP busted a gang of thieves operating in Igatpuri‑Kasara Ghat Section of Mumbai Division & cracked a theft case on Solapur Division in two different operations.

CASE-1 The Mangala Express Case

The Central Railway RPF Team, based on reports of several incidents of theft in the Igatpuri‑Kasara ghat section, constituted a joint task‑force comprising RPF personnel from Kasara & Igatpuri and Crime Prevention & Detection Squad(CPDS) Team and GRP/Igatpuri, to curb these incidents and apprehend the culprits. The team conducted continuous and discreet surveillance over suspicious persons operating in the ghat and adjoining hilly areas.

On 12.01.2026, during surveillance in the ghat section, the RPF team observed suspicious activity and apprehended two persons red handed for committing theft of a passenger's luggage in Train No. 12618 UP Ernakulam-Hazrat Nizamuddin Mangala Express. The accused named Ravindra Namdev Dhogande, aged 26 years, resident of Khadavli (a known history‑sheeter) and Karan Bhimrao Bhalerao, aged 19 years, resident of Asangaon were arrested. Interrogation revealed an accomplice named Kalpesh Kanu Are, aged 24 years, who was apprehended from his residence at Balvandi.

Through search of the accused led to recovery of stolen property which included gold jewellery namely mangalsutra, ear rings and nose ring in addition to 6 mobile phones.

It is assessed that approximately 5 additional cases of snatching and theft of passenger belongings are likely to be detected consequent upon the arrest of the above three accused.

Further investigation and legal proceedings are being carried out by GRP/Igatpuri.

CASE-2 The Chennai-Ektanagar Superfast Express Case

An RPF team comprising an Assistant Sub Inspector and 4 RPF personnel along with 2 GRP personnel were deployed on crime prevention duty on Train no 20919 Chennai-Ektanagar Superfast Express on 17.01.2026.

At approximately 05:30 hrs, while the train was at Dudhani Station, the team noticed a suspicious person running from a reserved coach to a general coach. The team intercepted the individual and during interrogation the accused identified as Gopikrishna, a resident of Bellary dist. Karnataka confessed to having stolen three mobile phones and cash amounting to Rs.5,100. A personal search revealed stolen articles like Mobile phones(including i-phone), wristwatch, power bank, chargers and earphones valued at approximately 1.52 lakhs

The accused was handed over to GRP/Solapur for further action. A case has been registered vide ACR No. 02/2026 under Sections 305 & 305(C) of the Indian Railways Act and Section 147, and further investigation is in progress.

The Central Railway commends the coordinated efforts of RPF and GRP for enhancing passenger safety and security in the region. Passengers are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to railway authorities or dial 139 for assistance.