Stolen vehicles found tampered, four arrested
Source: Chronicle News Service
Thoubal, April 17 2023:
Lilong police arrested four alleged vehicle lifters and recovered two stolen vehicles, whose engine numbers were found to have been tampered, in separate cases.
According to a police report, one Md Abdul Matalip 43) s/o Md Nurumuddin of Sangaiyumpham Part-1, Thoubal district filed a complaint about a possible theft of a Swift car (MNO-lAS-9855) on April 3 from near SBI Office Branch, Lilong by one Maibam Sharukh Khan alias Sana-thoi (32) s/o Md Hakim of Moijing Lamkhai, Thoubal district.
Based on the report, a team of Lilong PS visited the residence of the alleged accused on April 5 and recovered the silky silver coloured Swift car, which was then brought to Lilong PS for verification.
During the verification, the engine number punched on the block of engine (K12NP1142129) was found not tallied with the engine number (K12NP1194109) printed on metal strip of B pillar of the Swift car and the document produced by the complainant.
The chassis number of the car was also suspected to have been tampered.
In the course of further enquiry, the items were seized by observing formalities in the presence of witnesses on April 5 around 8 pm.
When the registration number of the Swift car was checked on the PARIVAHAN website, it was found to be registered in the name of one Keisham Sanjit Singh (25) s/o K Jiban Singh of Leirbngthel Malom Maning Leikai, Yairipok, Thoubal district.
On verifying with Sanjit, it was established that he (Sanjit) is presently in possession of one original silky silver colour Swift car with the same registration number (MNO1AS-985S) and engine number (K12NP1194109; Chassis No: MBHCZCB3SND994190) that he purchased from Eastern Motors, Chingmeirong on April 25 last year.
As part of further enquiry, the complainant was informed through telephone to appear at Lilong PS, but he neither appeared nor cooperated with the police enquiry.
Thus, on April 16, the individual, namely Md Abdul Matalip (43) of Sangaiyumpham Part-1 was arrested from Lilong Khunou near Lilong PS around 10 pm, on the charges of possessing stolen property (motor vehicle).
On the other hand, on receiving reliable information about presence of stolen vehicle in around Lilong Kaleikhong area on April 15 around 1pm, a team of Lilong PS rushed to Kaleikhong at around 4.15 pm.
Upon arrival, the team spotted one Hyundai i-20 Car Polar white ASTA O (MN01AS-1001) parked along NH-102 near Kaleikhong crossing in a very suspicious manner.
The team detained an individual, who was found seated on the driver's seat for verification.
On checking the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) punched underneath the front seat, it was suspected to have been tampered with and marked as MALBKS12LMM034940.On further checking of the ECM of the vehicle using an OBD Scanner, a VIN No: MALBK514LMM038485 was found which did not match with the VIN stamped on the chassis of the said vehicle.
Finally, the vehicle's VIN was confirmed to have been tampered with.
The registration number of the vehicle was also checked on PARIVAHAN website and it was found to be registered in the name of one Md Mujibur (31) s/o Md Daulatun of Moijing Wangmataba, Thoubal district.
After verifying with Md Mujibur, it was established that he (Mujibur) is presently in possession of one i-20 ASTA O 1.2 KAPPA MT with the same registration number (Engine No G4L-FLV057272, VIN: MALBK-S12LMM034940) that he purchased from Mukesh Hyundai Showroom, GS Road Guwahati on January 29, 2021.On questioning the detainee, he identified himself as Md Khamba (36) s/o Md Kabul of Mayang Imphal Bengoon, Imphal West district.
Khamba disclosed that he took the said vehicle on mortgage from one Md Mustofa (28) s/o Abdul Salam of Santhel Awang Leikai, Kakching district on January 23 last, with prior knowledge that the vehicle was a stolen one, at the price of Rs 4 lakh.
He also disclosed that one Md Khurshid Alam (35) s/o Md Bahaoddin of Santhel Makha Leikai, Kakching district, who was a close associate of Md Mustofa, had contacted him in finalising the mortgage process of the said vehicle.
Subsequently, the police team seized the items including the vehicle, an NOG issued by ICICI Bank (ICICI Bank/A/LAABD00010068178 dat ed 02/03/2023), one blank sale deed and one copy of undertaking deed (India Non-Judicial Paper bearing no.840558) by observing formalities from his possession on the same day around 5.15 pm.
Khamba was then arrested from the spot.
As part of the follow-up action on the same day i.e., April 15, the police team arrested Md Khurshid Alam (35) of Santhei Makha Leikai from NH-102 near Lilong PS around 6.40 pm on the charge of involvement in vehicle lifting with conspiracy.
The team also seized one mobile phone from his possession.
In this regard, a case has been registered at Lilong police station, the police report informed.