Loud Visarjan music aids sandalwood theft at IPS officer’s residence

No CCTV cameras installed around Western bungalow, No police guard on premises heard sound of trees being cut

When the entire Pune police force was on its toes to ensure a safe Ganesh immersion, unidentified persons stole sandalwood trees from an IPS officer's residence located in the well-protected Shivajinagar police headquarter premises.

Around 11.30 pm on September 29, unidentified persons entered Additional Director General of Police (wireless) IPS officer Suresh Kakkar's residence in Western Bungalow, cut down and took away two sandalwood trees from near a water tank close to gate number 2. The theft came to light on the morning of September 30. Police constable Prasad Bhausaheb Thopte (28) of SRPF, Group II, lodged the complaint in this case at the Shivajinagar police station.

Police suspect the sandalwood theft to be a well planned act. There is a possibility of thieves conducting a recee of the area to identity the sandalwood trees inside the bungalow for theft. They then seemed to have planned the theft for September 29 to take advantage of the loud music that would invariably play during the visarjan procession.

"The theft took when the Ganesh Visarjan procession was on. The thieves took advantage of the loud music being played during the processions on roads. It seems nobody heard the sound of cutting the sandalwood tress," Kakkar told The Indian Express.

"The sandalwood theft took place in a protected area in the inside lane. Nobody goes there. One police guard is deployed at the spot during the night. He said he had gone to attend nature's call when the theft took place. Inquiry has been initiated to know if there was a security lapse. I have also spoken to Pune police commissioner to send more people for patrolling in the area. We are more alert now," Kakkar added.

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