Indian authorities have successfully cracked a high-profile train heist worth Rs 35.45 lakh within 48 hours of the incident. The theft, which took place aboard the 22944 Indore–Daund Express, involved diamond and gold jewelry as well as cash. The Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and Local Crime Branch (LCB) worked together in a swift joint operation to apprehend the culprit.
The incident occurred in Coach A-2 of the train on the night of June 20, when a 73-year-old woman from Indore, traveling with her husband to Lonavala, woke up to find her handbag missing. The bag contained valuable items such as a diamond necklace, bracelet, gold chain, rings, a watch, and Rs 50,000 in cash. Despite keeping the bag close to her while she slept, it was stolen.
The victim immediately reported the theft to Railway Helpline 139, and an FIR was registered with GRP Lonavala. Following this, teams were deployed to various stations along the train’s route to investigate. CCTV footage pointed to a suspect who got off at Kalyan and behaved suspiciously within the station premises.
Further investigation identified the suspect as Mahesh Arun Ghag, also known as Vicky, a resident of Chembur, Mumbai. It was discovered that Vicky was a habitual offender who had been released on bail just 15 days prior for a similar crime. A raid at his residence led to the recovery of all the stolen items, which were promptly returned to the victim’s family.
Officials commended the seamless coordination between railway and police units, emphasizing their dedication to ensuring passenger safety and controlling crime. Indian Railways has advised passengers to be vigilant during travel, secure their valuables, and report any suspicious activity to onboard staff or Helpline 139.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of both law enforcement diligence and passenger awareness in preventing crimes during train travel. The successful resolution of the heist showcases the effectiveness of collaborative efforts between different agencies in tackling criminal activities on trains.
