BJP corporator from Ulhasnagar caught stealing PWD file on camera, arrested

BJP corporator Pradeep Ramchandhani from Ulhasnagar was arrested on Saturday for stealing a file from the public works department (PWD) of the Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporation (UMC). He is seen stealing the file in a CCTV footage clip that went viral on social media since Friday.

“The accused has been arrested and we are interrogating him to determine the motive behind stealing the civic body’s file,” said Ankit Goyal, deputy commissioner of police, Ulhasnagar.

“When our officials noted that a file was missing, we decided to scan the CCTV footage. When we saw Ramchandhani stealing the file, we decided to lodge a complaint against the corporator,” said Ganesh Patil, UMC commissioner.

The CCTV footage shows Ramchandani in conversation with a civic officer and a contractor. After the trio leave the office premises, Ramchandhani is seen returning in a few seconds, opening the locker, and stealing a file.

BJP city president, Kumar Ailani, has ordered a probe against Ramchandhani and has said that the incident will be reported to the party’s senior leaders.

“We will take action against this incident, if he is found guilty in this case,”said Ailani.

Sources from UMC said there have been several instances of documents going missing in the past.

“Most of the time, the civic body does not take any action in such cases. This time, the civic body was pressurised to do so only because the video went viral on social media,” said a civic officer on condition of anonymity.