Assam: Large battery theft racket busted in Howly, 825 stolen batteries seized

Police in Assam's Barpeta district have busted a large battery theft racket and recovered 825 stolen batteries during a raid conducted in Howly.

The operation was carried out under the leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Samiran Baishya in the Jashihati Para area of Howly. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, police intercepted a truck and recovered the batteries, which are suspected to have been stolen from e-rickshaws operating across various parts of the district.

According to police sources, the batteries were being loaded onto a truck bearing registration number UP 38 AT 4717 and were allegedly being transported to Uttar Pradesh when the raid was conducted. The entire consignment was seized on the spot.

The truck driver and the handyman have been detained for questioning as investigators probe their possible involvement in the theft and transportation network.

Police identified Azahar Uddin as the alleged kingpin of the racket. However, he remains absconding, and efforts are underway to trace and apprehend him.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the recovered batteries were stolen from e-rickshaws operating in different areas of Barpeta district, pointing to a well-organized theft network with possible interstate links.

The seizure has generated widespread attention in the locality due to the scale of the recovery and the suspected extent of the criminal operation.

Police officials said further investigation is in progress and search operations have been intensified to locate the absconding prime accused and identify other individuals connected to the racket.