Mohali: Vehicles seized by the police and kept as case property have themselves become the target of thieves. They have allegedly been stolen or stripped of parts at two locations in the district, raising questions over security arrangements on premises where such vehicles are stored.In one incident, an Activa seized in a 2022 case went missing from the basement of the State Cyber Crime building in Phase 4. In another, tyres and music systems were allegedly removed from several vehicles seized by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and parked at a govt plot in Sector 69.Police have registered separate theft cases and started investigation into the incidents.According to a complaint lodged by ASI Harmanpreet Singh, malkhana munshi at the ANTF police station in Sector 79, the scooter had been parked in the basement of the State Cyber Crime building. During a recent inspection, it was found missing.Malkhana staff searched for the vehicle but failed to trace it, following which a complaint was lodged with the Phase 1 police station. Police have registered a theft case and launched an investigation into how the vehicle disappeared from the premises.Tyres, music systems stolen from case vehiclesSeveral vehicles seized by the ANTF in different cases were allegedly stripped of their tyres and music systems at a govt plot in Sector 69.According to the complaint lodged by the ANTF malkhana munshi, the police station in Sector 79 lacks adequate space to accommodate all seized vehicles. A govt plot in Sector 69 was therefore allotted to park case property.The vehicles are reportedly checked periodically. During a recent inspection, the tyres and music systems of several vehicles were found missing. The matter was subsequently reported to the police.Phase 8 police have registered a case against unidentified persons and started an investigation.Police vehicle stolen recentlyThe incidents come days after an Activa belonging to a police officer posted at the SSP residence was allegedly stolen. The officer had gone to the market for official work when thieves reportedly took the vehicle.The latest cases have raised concerns over security arrangements at places where vehicles seized in criminal cases are kept, particularly as such property must be preserved as evidence until proceedings conclude.
