Pune: Wanowrie Police Bust Gang Stealing Traffic Signal Batteries; 4 Arrested, 34 Batteries Recovered
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Wanowrie, 31st January 2026: The Wanowrie Police have successfully dismantled a gang involved in stealing batteries from traffic controller boxes installed at various signal chowks across Pune city. The police have arrested four individuals and recovered stolen goods worth ₹1.68 lakh, including 34 batteries.
The Incident and Complaint
Under the Pune Smart City Project, M/s Vindhya Telelinks Ltd. is responsible for maintaining traffic controller boxes and batteries that ensure traffic signals remain operational during power outages.
On January 27, 2026, a complaint was lodged regarding the theft of six batteries from traffic controller boxes located at Kalubai Chowk, AFMC Chowk, and Race Course Chowk within the Wanowrie Police Station limits. A case was registered under Crime Register No. 29/2026, Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Investigation and Arrest
Following instructions from senior officials, a team led by Assistant Police Inspector Umakant Mahadik and Police Sub-Inspector Alfaj Sheikh began the investigation. The team analyzed CCTV footage and activated their network of informants.
On January 30, 2026, Police Constables Ashish Kamble and Balaji Waghmare received a confidential tip-off. They were informed that a suspect named Deepak Kamble, along with three accomplices, was travelling in an auto-rickshaw (MH-12/SK-2024) near the railway gate at Shevkar Vasti, opposite the garbage depot. The informants indicated that the group was looking to sell batteries stolen from signal boxes at Race Course and Kalubai Chowk.
Acting swiftly, the investigation team laid a trap and surrounded the suspicious rickshaw. They apprehended four individuals found inside.
Details of the Accused
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
Deepak Amol Kamble (32), Chand Usman Sheikh (28), both residents of of Ramnagar, Ramtekdi, Hadapsar, Pune.
Vikas alias Taklya Vijay Mane (36), resident of footpath near Aurora Towers, Camp, Pune.
Ali Mulla Sheikh (27), resident of Bhagyodaynagar, near Bhairavnath Temple, Kondhwa, Pune.
Recovery and Confession
Upon searching the rickshaw, the police recovered 34 batteries worth ₹68,000 and an iron crowbar used to break open the boxes. The auto-rickshaw used in the crime was also seized. The total value of the seized goods is estimated at ₹1,68,100.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to stealing batteries from multiple locations, including Kalubai Chowk, AFMC Chowk, Race Course Chowk, B.T. Kawade Chowk, Shastri Nagar, Sandalbaba Chowk, Dhobi Ghat Chowk, and City Pride/Pushpamangal Chowk.
Cases Solved
With these arrests, the police have solved five registered cases across different police stations:
Wanowrie Police Station: CR No. 29/2026 and 30/2026.
Laxminagar Police Station: CR No. 65/2026.
Lashkar Police Station: CR No. 18/2026.
Marketyard Police Station: CR No. 14/2026.
All cases were registered under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police Team
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (East Region) Manoj Patil, DCP (Zone 5) Rajlakshmi Shivankar, ACP (Wanowrie Division) Namrata Desai, Senior Police Inspector Bhausaheb Patil, and Police Inspector (Crime) Sangita Jadhav.
The detection team included API Umakant Mahadik, PSI Alfaj Sheikh, and police personnel Mahesh Gadhave, Daya Shegar, Atul Gaikwad, Amol Pilane, Ashish Kamble, Balaji Waghmare, Vitthal Chormale, Gopal Madne, Amol Gaikwad, Abhijit Chavan, and Arshad Sayyad.
