In a major breakthrough against vehicle theft, the Nishatpura police arrested two habitual bike thieves and recovered 15 stolen motorcycles from their possession. The accused, Zahid Khan and Shivraj Ahirwar, were apprehended near the Karond Sabzi Mandi area while riding a motorcycle without a registration number.
The arrests followed a tip-off regarding two suspicious individuals loitering in the area. Acting swiftly, a joint team led by Station In-charge Rupesh Dubey—comprising personnel from Nishatpura police station, Dial 100, and the Sabzi Mandi police outpost—detained the duo for questioning.
Upon initial inquiry, the accused failed to produce any valid documents for the motorcycle they were riding. A subsequent examination of the vehicle's engine and chassis numbers confirmed that it had been reported stolen.
During an intensive interrogation, Zahid and Shivraj confessed to stealing 15 motorcycles from multiple localities across Bhopal, including Nishatpura, Piplani, Tila Jamalpura, Gautam Nagar, Sukhi Sevaniya, Kolar Road, Ashoka Garden, and Itkhedi.
Acting on information provided by the accused, the police recovered six bikes hidden deep in the forests of the Shamshabad area, and eight more motorcycles were seized from Zahid's residence in Danmarhi village, Vidisha district. One additional bike—the one they were apprehended with—was also confirmed stolen.
The duo's criminal records revealed a disturbing pattern. Shivraj Ahirwar has 17 prior cases of vehicle theft registered against him, while Zahid Khan is implicated in at least nine similar offenses spanning Bhopal, Vidisha, and Rajgarh districts. Investigations suggest the two were active members of an organized vehicle theft syndicate that operated across central Madhya Pradesh.
According to police sources, the gang would frequently hide stolen two-wheelers in remote forested or rural areas to evade detection. These vehicles were later sold off with tampered documents or dismantled for parts.
The successful crackdown was the result of a coordinated effort by an 18-member police team that included officers Zafarul Hasan, Rakesh Joshi, Mohan Shrestha, and Mukesh Bharti. Their strategic deployment and swift action were instrumental in nabbing the culprits and recovering the stolen property.
In a press conference, the Bhopal police lauded the team's efforts and emphasized their commitment to tackling organized vehicle theft. Authorities also stated that further investigation is underway to trace the broader network involved in the disposal and resale of stolen motorcycles.
Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to vehicles in their locality.