2 weeks ago
13 Arrested for Stealing MTNL Cables in Mumbai's Kandivali
In Mumbai, a city in India, some people are accused of stealing very long cables that carry telephone signals underground.
The cables belong to a company called MTNL.
The police, called the Samta Nagar Police, arrested 13 people who they believe were part of a group that stole the cables.
The stolen cables were worth about nine lakh rupees, which is a lot of money.
A worker from MTNL told the police about the missing cables, and the police started an investigation.
The police also took a big digging machine called a JCB, which they think was used to dig up the cables, plus two mobile phones.
All the things the police took are worth more than twenty lakh rupees.
The police say they are still looking for other people who may have helped with the theft.
Now the arrested people may have to go to court to answer for what happened.
Samta Nagar Police arrested 13 suspects for allegedly stealing MTNL underground cables in Kandivali East, Mumbai.
The stolen cables — 153 metres of four 2,000-pair underground MTNL cables — were valued at about Rs 9 lakh.
The theft occurred at Ashok Nagar Cross Road No. 4, Kandivali East, before June 22, 2026.
Police seized a JCB machine worth Rs 20 lakh and two mobile phones worth Rs 80,000, totalling Rs 20.80 lakh.
Police are searching for other persons allegedly involved in the cable-theft racket.
- Who
- MTNL manager Virendra Laltaprasad Yadav filed the complaint, and Samta Nagar Police arrested 13 suspects.
- What
- 13 people were arrested for allegedly stealing underground MTNL cables worth around Rs 9 lakh.
- Where
- Ashok Nagar Cross Road No. 4, Kandivali East, Mumbai.
- When
- The cables were stolen before June 22, 2026; the arrests were reported on August 13, 2026.
- Why
- The suspects allegedly stole the cables as part of a gang involved in a cable-theft racket, reportedly using a JCB machine.
Key facts
- Accused arrested
- 13
- Stolen property
- 153 metres of four 2,000-pair MTNL underground cables, worth around Rs 9 lakh
- Location
- Ashok Nagar Cross Road No. 4, Kandivali East, Mumbai
- Theft occurred
- Before June 22, 2026
- Complainant
- Virendra Laltaprasad Yadav (52), MTNL manager, Samta Nagar
- Legal provisions invoked
- BNS Sections 303(2), 324(5), 3(5); Section 42, Telecommunications Act 2023; Section 3, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act 1984
- Property seized
- JCB machine (Rs 20 lakh) and two mobile phones (Rs 80,000); total Rs 20.80 lakh
- Status
- Police searching for other alleged accomplices
Sources
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