Daijiworld Media Network - Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, May 31: In a significant move, Beed police have slapped the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) on a gang of dacoits behind a daring heist at a wind turbine site, where they looted equipment worth nearly Rs 13 lakh.
The gang targeted Avada Company’s installation in Vida village, Kej taluka, on April 7. According to the site’s watchman, Akash Bhaskar Jadhav (26), the gang struck around 11:45 p.m., with 14 armed members descending on the location. Four of them attacked Jadhav and his colleague Abhijit Dundhav with wooden sticks, tied them up, and then the rest climbed into the turbine’s structure to loot essential components: a rotor cable (Rs 2 lakh), starter cable (Rs 8.1 lakh), and earthing cable (Rs 2.8 lakh), totaling Rs 12.9 lakh.
A complaint was registered at Kej police station under IPC Section 310(2). Following an intensive investigation, the Kej police and Beed’s local crime branch arrested four accused: Baban Sardar Shinde (40) from Nandurghat, Dhanaji Ravji Kale (23) from Terkheda in Dharashiv, Mohan Hari Kale (30), and Lalasahab Sakharam Pawar (26) from Dasmegaon. Six others have been identified and are on the run.
Police recovered stolen property worth Rs 9 lakh, including copper wire and a four-wheeler. “The gang’s criminal footprint extends across Beed and Dharashiv districts with at least 11 major crimes, including armed robberies, burglaries, and assaults within Kej, Neknur, Dhoki, and Vashi jurisdictions,” Beed superintendent of police Navneet Kanwat stated.
Kej police inspector Vaibhav Patil, recognizing the gang’s organized and repeat-offender profile, recommended invoking MCOCA. The proposal, submitted on May 13, received approval from special IG Virendra Mishra on May 29.
MCOCA Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2), and 3(4) have been applied. Assistant SP Kamlesh Meena of Kej has been assigned to lead further investigation.