Gold, cash worth Rs. 3.6 lakh seized

Mysore/Mysuru: The Railway Protection Force (RPF), in coordination with the Government Railway Police (GRP), has cracked a passenger theft case involving property worth Rs. 3.6 lakh and arrested the accused.

The accused, identified as G.S. Patel (23), was arrested at Shivamogga Railway Station. He is also allegedly involved in earlier theft cases registered in Davangere and Arasikere, which are currently under trial.

The case was registered following a complaint by Ambika, a resident of Bengaluru, on Mar. 12. She was travelling with her children on the Talaguppa Inter-City Express from KSR Bengaluru City Railway Station to Anandapuram.

Shortly after the train left Kumsi Station around 8.15 pm, she realised her handbag was missing. The bag contained about 35 grams of gold ornaments and Rs. 10,000 in cash.

Acting swiftly, RPF personnel from Shivamogga visited the spot and collected CCTV footage from Kumsi Station and nearby locations. A special team, comprising RPF Shivamogga, CIB Mysuru and CPDS Mysuru, was formed to assist the GRP Shivamogga in the investigation.

A detailed analysis of CCTV footage helped trace the suspect’s movements up to Sagara, nearly 50-km away. Crucial leads emerged from footage obtained from a private establishment in the town.

Using technical surveillance, field verification and local intelligence, the team identified the suspect as a resident of Davangere and tracked down his hideout. Investigators also found that two non-bailable warrants were pending against the accused in theft cases registered at Tiptur and Davangere.

During interrogation, the accused is said to have confessed to the crime. He was produced before the Principal Civil Judge and JMFC Court in Shivamogga, which remanded him to 10 days of Judicial Custody.