Textile theft: Five more held, goods worth Rs 1.65cr seized

Surat: Five more accused involved in thefts from shops at Radha Krishna Textile (RKT) Market falling under the limits of Salabatpura police station were arrested and finished textile products worth Rs1.65 crore recovered from their possession by cops here on Sunday.
Police earlier had arrested Ram Modhvadiya, 42, an employee of a private security agency, and during investigation nabbed other accused Kaushalprasad Singrol, 44, Vahedkhan Pathan, 55, Bhikha Chanwala, 58, Komal alias Kamalsingh Girase, 59, and Himal alias Jigar Harijan, 25. Aggressive protests by textile traders had compelled the cops to act and nab the culprits who worked as security staff in the market.

Aashish Rathi, 36, who has a shop in RKT Market, had alleged in his police complaint that textile bales worth Rs21 lakh were stolen from his godown during the past two months.

Police investigation revealed that Modhvadiya, working as a security guard in the market since 2006, used to keep watch on stock of textile products in the shops. He used to call his accomplices on Sundays to steal the products from the shops using duplicate keys. He used to keep watch outside the market while his accomplices loaded the stolen material on transport vehicles that left the parking area only on Mondays on the basis of stolen gate passes. The stolen material was taken to warehouses in Limbayat area of the city. Police have traced three warehouses which were being used by the accused. The stolen products were sold outside the state by the accused.

The thefts were continuing since many months, but a sudden spurt in them created an alarm among the textile traders.