Archive · 26 Jan 2026
Thieves Steal EVM from Pune Government Office
Nearly two years ago, three men broke into a government office in Pune, India, to steal money.
Instead, they took an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) by mistake.
The police caught them quickly and found the EVM was not damaged.
The thieves thought the EVM was a box with money.
The government and police are now checking their security rules because of this mistake.
The men are in jail, and the court is handling their case.
The Election Commission of India also asked for an explanation about how this happened.
Three men stole an EVM from the tehsildar’s office in Pune’s Purandar taluka on February 5, 2024.
The thieves broke into the strong room, thinking the EVM contained money.
Police arrested the three accused and recovered the undamaged EVM.
The incident exposed security lapses, leading to the suspension of several officials.
The Election Commission of India directed the Maharashtra Chief Secretary to seek an explanation for the security breach.
- Who
- Three men: Shivaji Bandgar, Ajinkya Salunkhe, and one more unidentified
- What
- Theft of an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) from a government office
- When
- February 5, 2024
- Where
- Tehsildar’s office, Purandar taluka, Pune
- Why
- Accused mistook the EVM for a box containing money
- Date of Theft
- February 5, 2024
- Location
- Tehsildar’s office, Purandar taluka, Pune
- Stolen Item
- Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)
- Value of EVM
- Rs 18,500
- Number of Accused
- 3
- Current Status of Accused
- In jail, chargesheet filed
- Security Breach
- Lock of the strong room broken
- ECI Action
- Directed Maharashtra Chief Secretary for explanation