Why are Mumbai’s CNG autos going missing?

Cops have recovered eight stolen autos

The Malwani police have made headway in the rapidly rising auto theft cases reported across the city. Until now, little to no detection was possible as the police could not find the stolen three-wheelers anywhere in the city and surrounding areas. When they got a tip-off that the stolen CNG autos were being driven to Gulbarga in the neighbouring state of Karnataka, they realised it was because the demand for CNG vehicles was rising due to high profit and rising fuel prices. They busted the gang, arresting two members, including the mastermind.

Mohammad Asif Hanif Shaikh, 26, the mastermind

An Officer from Malwani police station said the skyrocketing prices of petrol and diesel are among the main reasons behind the rise in thefts of CNG three-wheelers. "CNG-powered rickshaws are economical for drivers as compared to petrol-run ones. Hence, the thieves have been targeting the vehicles in Mumbai and selling them off in Karnataka so as to evade being caught," he added.

First Akkalkot, then Gulbarga

Most autorickshaw drivers, who ply their vehicles in the city, park their vehicles near railway stations in the night and then travel to their homes. "The mastermind would keep a watch on the parked vehicles for a few days before stealing it," said a cop. After cases were filed, the detection teams would search for the stolen vehicles in the city and surroundings, but their efforts did not yield results.

However, Sub-Inspector Hasan Mulani and his team members got specific intelligence that the vehicles stolen from Maharashtra were driven to Gulbarga in Karnataka. "The accused had hired drivers who were paid Rs 2,000 to drive the stolen rickshaws to Akkalkot, which is a two-hour drive from Gulbarga," Mulani said.

Autorickshaws parked on a city road. Cops said the accused would keep an eye on such autos for a few days before stealing them. File pic

"From Akkalkot, a gang member would drive it to Gulbarga and hide it till the number plate was changed," he added. "The gang would only change the number plate, while the chassis and engine numbers remained intact. They would then decorate them to look like local vehicles before plying it on roads in Gulbarga," a cop said.

The bust

Based on the inputs and technical evidence, Mulani and his team reached Gulbarga city and laid a trap to nab the gang. "We have arrested two accused and many of their accomplices are on the run. Our investigations are underway to arrest them," Mulani added. The accused have been identified as Mohammad Asif Hanif Shaikh, 26, who is the mastermind, and Laxmikant Raju Khetri, 28, said a police officer. The police are now looking for other members of the gang.

Laxmikant Raju Khetri, 28, one of the arrested accused

"With the arrests of two accused, we have solved around 14 cases registered in different police stations including Malwani, Borivli, Kandivli, Dahisar, Mehgwadi, Vakola, Mankhurd, Nalasopara and Waliv. We have also confiscated eight stolen autorickshaws," Mulani added. At present, the mastermind, Shaikh, is in the custody of Borivli police for further investigation.

8
No. of stolen autos that were recovered