14 held for pilfering ration wheat

The Patiala police today arrested 14 persons suspected to be involved in siphoning of subsidised wheat meant for the poor from ration depots. The arrested gang also includes persons who were “collecting” wheat from houses in the name of donation to gurudwaras. They then sold it in the open market.

According to SSP Patiala,Hardial Singh Mann,the main accused in the case Balwinder Kumar is a resident of grain market on Sirhind Road and had taken a godown on rent to store the grain siphoned from ration depots or collected in the name of donation. Following a raid 925 quintals of wheat was recovered from the godown. The gang also had links with some flour mills in the city who bought this wheat and sold it further in the market. The SSP said those running the government depot too were involved in the crime as they allegedly forged documents to show that the wheat was distributed.

A case under Sections 406,408,419,420,465,467,468,120-B IPC and 7 EC Act has been registered at Tripuri.