Raipur/Raigarh, April 4 (IANS) In a major breakthrough, police in Raigarh district have cracked a well-organised network involved in the theft and sale of motorcycles, arresting nine accused, including the prime suspect, and recovering 21 stolen two-wheelers valued at approximately Rs 15 lakh.

The details of the operation were shared by Raigarh police during a press conference held on Saturday afternoon at the Police Control Room.

According to police, a rise in motorcycle theft cases across the district had prompted Station House Officers (SHOs) to maintain heightened surveillance. Acting on specific intelligence, a joint team from the Cyber Police Station and Punjipathra Police Station arrested Sukhdev Chauhan, a resident of Dhouradand village under the Lailunga police station area.

During interrogation, Sukhdev Chauhan confessed to stealing motorcycles in collaboration with his associate Shiv Nagvanshi from areas including Punjipathra, Dharamjaigarh, and parts of Odisha. He admitted to stealing a Passion Pro from Saraipali market in July 2025, a Pulsar from Tumidih market in August 2025, and an HF Deluxe from Poriya village in March 2026.

Sukhdev revealed that he sold the stolen motorcycles to nine persons — Kartik Ram Dungdung, Ramkumar Vaishnav, Keshav Yadav, Bhojram Painkra, Jagdish Painkra, Shivcharan Chauhan, Sukhcharan Chauhan, Amit Kumar Nagvanshi, and Shivprasad Vishwakarma — all of whom were subsequently arrested.

Police recovered 14 motorcycles from the arrested buyers and another seven bikes that Sukhdev had hidden in his backyard, taking the total recovery to 21 stolen motorcycles.

The accused, who are professional drivers and skilled in vehicle repair, reportedly used simple tools such as screwdrivers to break motorcycle locks. They would hide the stolen vehicles in secluded locations before selling them at throwaway prices.

Police said one more accused involved in the racket is still absconding.

Following the revelations, Section 112(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been added against the main accused for organised theft. The buyers have been booked under Sections 317(2) and 317(4) of the BNS for dealing in stolen property and have been sent to judicial custody.

The operation has brought relief to residents who had been facing frequent motorcycle thefts in the district. Police have appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to two-wheelers.

--IANS

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