Security agencies in Nagpur, Maharashtra were put on high alert following the arrest of a coal mine worker caught carrying stolen explosive materials alongside three mobile phones. Official investigations revealed that the suspect resorted to theft out of anger after his employer failed to pay his wages. Transporting active explosives aboard a passenger train created a major public safety hazard before law enforcement intercepted him.
Apprehended While Attempting to Sell Stolen Phones
The arrested individual has been identified as 35-year-old Rajendra Ramlal Vishwakarma, a resident of Balod district in Chhattisgarh. Vishwakarma was employed at a coal mine operated by Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) in Warora, located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. Action was initiated when officers from the Lakadganj police station received specific intelligence regarding a man attempting to sell mobile devices under suspicious circumstances at Azamshah Chowk in Nagpur. A police team acted promptly, detaining the suspect on the spot and recovering three stolen mobile phones from his possession.
Unpaid Wages Sparked the Theft
During custodial interrogation, Vishwakarma confessed to committing the theft at his workplace. He informed police officers that the labor contractor responsible for his employment had withheld his legitimate earnings. Agitated by the non-payment of his dues despite repeated requests, he decided to retaliate against the contractor. He stole three valuable mobile phones belonging to the contractor and simultaneously seized two active explosive charges from the coal mine premises before fleeing the facility.
Explosives Transported via Train Neutralized by Bomb Squad
Following the theft, the accused boarded a passenger train carrying the stolen explosives from Chandrapur to Nagpur. The revelation that live explosives were carried through public railway transport triggered immediate concern among security forces. Upon securing the materials, the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) was deployed to defuse both explosive devices safely. Additionally, a specialized team from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) visited the Lakadganj police station to examine the case details and inspect security implications.
Legal Proceedings Under BNS and Explosives Act
Law enforcement authorities have registered a criminal case against Rajendra Ramlal Vishwakarma under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Arms Act, and the Explosives Act. Further investigation is ongoing to determine whether the accused had any broader criminal connections or intentions beyond the wage dispute.
Parallel Theft Incident Reported in Washim District
In a separate crime reported earlier from Washim district in Maharashtra, a thief demonstrated unusual behavior before robbing a religious site. Surveillance cameras at a local Sai Baba temple captured the intruder offering prayers and bowing before the deity prior to breaking the temple lock. The thief subsequently emptied the cash stored in the donation box and fled, with the entire sequence recorded on CCTV footage.
