Srinagar: Police in Anantnag have busted an organized motorcycle theft and disposal nexus, leading to the recovery and seizure of six stolen motorcycles linked to theft cases registered at different police stations, a police spokesman informed Thursday.
He said acting on a complaint of Imran Ahmad Wani regarding the purchase of a motorcycle carrying fake registration details from Mohammad Asif Bhat and Danish Ahmad Bhat, police during investigation questioned the accused, who disclosed that the motorcycles were stolen by Junaid Ahmad Bajad of Nowpora, Dooru. They said that Bajd had supplied them with stolen motorcycles for sale.
The investigation further revealed that one Mudasir Ahmad Bhat was involved in advertising and selling the stolen motorcycles through Facebook marketplace as well other offline contacts. Multiple buyers were approached through these channels, establishing an organized online and offline nexus for the disposal of stolen motorcycles, police said.
Investigation also revealed multiple financial transactions from buyers into his personal account in connection with the sale of the stolen motorcycles. During further investigation, it was established that the accused persons had sold six stolen motorcycles to different individuals. Acting on the leads developed during the investigation, all six motorcycles were traced, recovered and seized.
The ownership and registration particulars of the recovered motorcycles were verified through ARTO Anantnag. On contacting the genuine owners, it was confirmed that all six motorcycles were linked to theft cases already registered at different police stations.
Investigation has established Junaid Ahmad Bajad as the key person involved in stealing motorcycles and supplying them for sale. He is presently absconding, and efforts are underway to apprehend him. Further recoveries of stolen motorcycles are expected following his arrest, police said.
