Excavator Theft: A Heist Unfolds in Bengaluru’s City Civil Court Complex

In a shocking incident, a 20-tonne excavator worth Rs 30 lakh was stolen from the City Civil Court Complex in Bengaluru. The excavator, a Volvo Crawler EC210D, was hired by a contractor to dig a pit for installing a lift on the court premises. However, when the owner, Govindaraju BV, 40, returned to the site on July 9, he was left stunned to find the machine missing.

The excavator was deployed on June 30, but due to rain, the work was interrupted, and it was left behind. Govindaraju lodged a complaint with the Halasuru Gate police, and the court registrar was informed about the theft. The court took the incident seriously and summoned the police to the spot. After reviewing the CCTV footage, the police found that five individuals in a SUV (Mahindra Bolero) and a multi-axle truck had entered the court premises around 1 am on July 8. They loaded the excavator onto the truck and sped away by 2 am.

The police investigation revealed that the thieves had gained access to the court premises by claiming to be the owner of the excavator. The reserve police deployed to guard the court were questioned, and they revealed that a person from the group had taken the excavator away. The police then questioned Govindaraju again and discovered that he owed Rs 3 lakh to Sachidananda Gouda, a Hebbal resident, and a case was pending in the court.

The police analyzed the phone tower location of Sachidananda and found that he was on the court premises at the time of the incident. His phone was later switched off. The CCTV footage was analyzed in other locations, and Sachidananda was identified at a hotel in Jigani, where he was having tea and snacks with three others on the night of July 12. Sachidananda and Velu, who was with him, were arrested.

Sachidananda, who also owned excavators, had known Govindaraju for almost six years. He had already discussed selling the excavator with someone. The stolen vehicle was recovered from a godown. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)-2023, section 303 (2) - (theft). The duo is currently in judicial custody, and a search is underway for the three other suspects.

This incident highlights the importance of effective security measures and the need for prompt action in cases of theft. It also underscores the significance of thorough investigations and the use of technology, such as CCTV footage and phone tower location analysis, in solving crimes.

Historical Context:

Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka, India, has been experiencing rapid growth and development in recent years, which has led to an increase in construction and infrastructure projects. The City Civil Court Complex, where the excavator was stolen, is a busy and congested area, making it a prime target for thieves. The incident highlights the need for effective security measures and prompt action in cases of theft, especially in areas with high foot traffic and valuable assets.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• A 20-tonne excavator worth Rs 30 lakh was stolen from the City Civil Court Complex in Bengaluru on July 8. • The excavator was hired by a contractor to dig a pit for installing a lift on the court premises, but was left behind due to rain. • The owner, Govindaraju BV, reported the theft to the Halasuru Gate police and the court registrar. • The police reviewed CCTV footage and found that five individuals in a SUV and a multi-axle truck entered the court premises around 1 am and loaded the excavator onto the truck. • The thieves claimed to be the owner of the excavator to gain access to the premises. • The police questioned the reserve police deployed to guard the court and discovered that a person from the group had taken the excavator away. • Govindaraju owed Rs 3 lakh to Sachidananda Gouda, a Hebbal resident, and a case was pending in the court. • The police analyzed phone tower location data and found that Sachidananda was on the court premises at the time of the incident, and his phone was later switched off. • Sachidananda and Velu, who was with him, were arrested and are currently in judicial custody. • The stolen vehicle was recovered from a godown, and a case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)-2023, section 303 (2) - (theft). • The incident highlights the importance of effective security measures, prompt action in cases of theft, and the use of technology in solving crimes.