# Mine Worker Arrested in Nagpur After Stealing Explosives Over Unpaid Wages

> A mine worker in Nagpur, Maharashtra, was arrested for stealing three mobile phones and two explosives from a coal mine after his contractor withheld his wages. Police apprehended him while he was attempting to sell the stolen phones.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Maharashtra · **Published:** 2026-09-03 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/maharashtra/nagpur-men-bakaya-majaduri-na-milane-para-khadana-karmachari-ne-churae-visphotaka-pulisa-ne-aropi-ko-kiya-giraphtara-26738 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Nagpur Police, Coal Mine Theft, Stolen Explosives, Western Coalfields Limited, Maharashtra Crime, Balod Chhattisgarh, BNS

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.

## What this means for you
This incident underscores serious concerns regarding workplace wage compliance and the enforcement of strict security protocols for industrial explosives.

- **Across India:** The transit of live explosives on public passenger trains poses a major security hazard. This highlights the urgent need for stricter baggage screening and surveillance protocols at railway stations nationwide.
- **In Nagpur and Chandrapur:** The theft of high-grade explosives from mining sites reveals potential security lapses in industrial zones. Local authorities are expected to mandate comprehensive security audits across WCL mining facilities.
- **For Informal Sector Workers:** Wage disputes with contractors must be addressed through formal labor grievances rather than illegal actions, as taking the law into one's hands leads to severe criminal prosecution under strict statutes.
- **For Public Safety:** Swift police interception of individuals attempting to sell stolen devices deters black-market electronics trading and strengthens urban law enforcement responses.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Why was the mine worker arrested in Nagpur?
He was arrested for stealing three mobile phones and two explosive devices from a coal mine following a dispute over unpaid wages.

### 2. Who is the accused and where is he from?
The accused is 35-year-old Rajendra Ramlal Vishwakarma, a resident of Balod district in Chhattisgarh.

### 3. Where were the explosives stolen from?
The explosives were stolen from a Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) coal mine in Warora, Chandrapur district.

### 4. What legal charges have been filed against the accused?
Case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Arms Act, and Explosives Act.

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