Pune Police recovers stolen control unit of EVM, two held

The Pune Police have recovered the control unit of an electronic voting machine (EVM) after it was allegedly stolen. Two suspects were held in the matter, an official said

The Pune Police have recovered the control unit of an electronic voting machine (EVM) after it was allegedly stolen from the office of a revenue official in Maharashtra's Pune district. Two persons were held in the matter, an official said on Wednesday, reported the PTI.

According to the PTI, the incident of theft had occurred at the office of a tehsildar in Saswad on February 3 and a CCTV footage of the offence surfaced on social media.

"Three thieves allegedly stole the control unit of the EVM and some stationary material from the tehsildar office. The incident came to light on Monday," a senior police official said.

The stolen control unit of the EVM was recovered within 24 hours of the theft, he said.

"We nabbed two persons involved in the crime and the control unit was recovered from them in Jejuri area of the district. We are investigating the matter further," he added.

A case was registered at the Saswad police station against the accused trio, the official said.

Meanwhile, in an another incident, more than 260 Pune criminals on record were paraded at Pune Police Commissionerate on Tuesday and given warnings not to indulge in illegal activities and refrain from making online reels which can glorify their acts and publish them on social media platforms, said officials, reported the PTI.

Gangsters Gajanan Marne, Nilesh Ghaywal, Baba Bodke and Tipu Pathan, among others with criminal antecedents, queued up before the police commissioner office and were seen listening to instructions of senior police officials from the crime branch, reported PTI.

Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar, after assuming charge last week, had said he will make a list of top 20 Pune criminals from every police station where they are facing cases in order to keep them in check, reported PTI.

Talking to PTI, Kumar said it was a proactive and pre-emptive drive to ensure Pune criminals on record are properly "counselled" and made to behave and act within parameters of law.

"They have been told that their dossiers have been updated and they have been asked to co-operate with officials. Their current activities and finger prints are being updated," said Kumar, reported PTI.

The IPS officer said the drive, under which they were asked to appear before the commissionerate, was to give them a message "loud and clear" that any violation of law will invite strict action.

"It should not be like they commit a crime and we take action. It should be proactive and not reactive. That was the thought behind today's exercise," he said, reported PTI.

He said criminals on record have been warned not to upload reels online which can glorify their illegal acts and activities.

(with PTI inputs)

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!