Bhiwadi, Oct 16: The police have arrested two accused, Shahid and Salman, in connection with the theft of copper coils worth approximately Rs 1.50 crore from a private company in Bhiwadi in Rajasthan Khairthal-Tijara district.

The accused conspired with a security guard, drugged a worker and a gunman, and stole the goods from the warehouse. A police team led by Station House Officer (SHO) Sachin Sharma made the arrests.

SHO Sharma said a case was registered at Bhiwadi Police Station following a complaint by warehouse in-charge Mahesh Chandra Sharma.

According to the complaint, on the night of June 9, security guard Ramnarayan, gunman Mukesh Kumar and worker Balmukund were on duty at the warehouse. As part of a planned conspiracy, Ramnarayan mixed a drug into a cold drink and gave it to the worker and the gunman, causing them to lose consciousness.

Subsequently, unidentified outsiders, allegedly acting in collusion with the guard, damaged the warehouse’s CCTV cameras and loaded two copper coils into a vehicle before fleeing.

During the investigation, police examined CCTV footage from the surrounding area, gathered information from informants, sought assistance from the cyber team and questioned suspects arrested in other theft cases.

Following a detailed investigation, police arrested Shahid, son of Salim, and Salman, son of Ishayak. Both accused are residents of Risaldaran under the Sikandrabad police station area of Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district.

Police said the accused sold the stolen copper coils to an unidentified scrap dealer in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and spent the proceeds on luxuries and drugs.

According to police, the duo are habitual offenders who targeted drug-addicted security guards and workers at companies to facilitate copper thefts.

Police further stated that several criminal cases have previously been registered against both accused.

Further investigation is underway to recover the stolen property and establish the full extent of the alleged conspiracy.

Virar, Oct 16: A woman died by suicide in Virar, Maharashtra, amid allegations that she was lured with promises of work in the film industry, threatened with the circulation of a private video and blackmailed for nearly Rs 1 Crore, police said.

The woman allegedly consumed pesticide at a public park in Olanda at around 6.30 a.m. on Thursday. Police have launched an investigation based on a suicide note reportedly recovered from the spot.

Senior Police Inspector Satish Nikam of Arnala Sagari Police Station said the deceased, identified as Nanili Joshi, was a resident of J.P. Nagar. In the note, she allegedly accused a man identified as Patki of repeatedly extorting money from her by promising to arrange work for her in the film industry and subsequently threatening to circulate a private video.

According to the police, the note stated that the woman had been in contact with the accused since January. He allegedly promised to help her secure work in the film industry and subsequently developed a relationship with her. During the relationship, some private videos of the woman were allegedly recorded.

The accused then allegedly threatened to make the videos public and demanded money from her, the note reportedly stated.

The note mentions an amount of approximately Rs 1 crore. However, the exact amount allegedly demanded and the money exchanged between the two have not yet been established, police said.

The woman’s brother also alleged in his complaint that she had been in contact with the accused since January and had faced harassment and blackmail over various issues. Police are examining the complaint and investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.

According to Nikam, the accused is believed to be a Mumbai resident and was acquainted with the deceased. His mobile phone is currently switched off, and police teams are conducting searches to trace him. Investigators are also attempting to gather further information about the accused, as the woman’s brother reportedly has limited details about him.

Police have registered a case under Sections 108 (abetment of suicide) and 308 (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to the information provided. The crime scene inspection and other necessary legal formalities have been completed.

Nikam said the investigation was in its preliminary stages and that tracing and arresting the accused, identified as Yogesh Mhapnkar alias Saurabh Patki, was a priority.

Police said further legal action would be taken based on the evidence gathered during the investigation. The allegations against the accused are yet to be established.

Varanasi, Oct 15: A massive explosion triggered the collapse of a two-storey building in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on Thursday, leaving two people injured and a woman trapped under the debris, officials said.

The incident took place in the Paigambarpur area under the Sarnath police station area of Varanasi.

According to preliminary information, an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit was operating inside the house. The explosion is suspected to have occurred due to highly inflammable materials on the premises.

Two people were injured in the incident and have been taken to hospital for treatment, while efforts are underway to rescue a woman trapped under the rubble.

Speaking to media, DCP Rajesh Pandey said: “Information was received at 5 p.m. that a two-storey building had collapsed. Upon reaching the spot, we found firecrackers scattered around the place, so it is being considered that the incident took place due to the explosion of firecrackers.”

He said that according to locals, a woman is trapped under the debris and a rescue operation is currently underway to pull her out.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to reach the site immediately and expedite relief operations, NDTV reported.

Further, CM Adityanath has instructed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for those injured. The officials have also been directed to contact the families of the injured and provide them with all possible assistance.

In August, eleven people were killed, and five others suffered serious injuries after an explosion ripped through an illegal firecracker manufacturing and storage facility in Chilla Shahbazi village, under the Pipri police station area in UP’s Kaushambi.

The UP government had then announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each for three absconding suspects wanted in connection with the blast.

Superintendent of Police Satyanarayan Prajapat announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each for information leading to the arrest of three absconding accused – Shakeel, Kahaksha Bano, and Adil, said an official statement.

Earlier, as part of action against the accused in the firecracker factory explosion, the police arrested the main accused, Naushad, following an encounter on the Terah Mile-Syed Sarawan road in the Charwa police station area, an official said.