By Special Correspondent
Bhopal: The Bhopal Police have achieved a major breakthrough with the arrest of a habitual offender who had been targeting young women by attacking them with a cutter in public places across the city. In recognition of the successful operation, Director General of Police Kailash Makwana has announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for the police team involved.
The accused, Devendra Ahirwar, allegedly carried out four attacks on the night of January 29 in the areas falling under the Sonagiri, Piplani and Ayodhyanagar police stations, leaving four young women seriously injured. Separate cases were registered at Piplani and Ayodhyanagar police stations, and investigations were immediately launched.
Considering the gravity of the incidents, special teams were constituted under the directions of Police Commissioner Sanjay Kumar and the guidance of Additional Police Commissioner Avadhesh Goswami. A total of 40 teams at the zonal level and from the Crime Branch, involving more than 150 police personnel, were deployed. The teams conducted an extensive investigation based on technical evidence, analysing over 900 CCTV footages, verifying more than 600 known offenders and questioning nearly 100 suspects. Based on CCTV visuals, the accused’s photograph and description were released, and a reward of Rs 25,000 was announced for information leading to his arrest.
Following sustained search operations, police received specific inputs and conducted a raid in a forested area near Ayodhya Bypass in the Chholamandir locality, leading to the arrest of Devendra Ahirwar, aged 37, a resident of Ghasera Mohalla, Rahatgarh in Sagar district, presently living in Pooja Colony, Karond, Bhopal. A cutter used in the attacks, a stolen motorcycle, clothes and other materials were seized from his possession.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to the four recent attacks and admitted to committing similar offences with a cutter in various police station areas of Sagar district in 2014. Police said the stolen motorcycle, taken from the Karond vegetable market area four months ago, was used in the recent crimes.
The police have appealed to citizens to immediately report any suspicious activity to help maintain public safety.
