Shocking Case of Mismanagement as 25 Seized Vehicles Vanish from Phulambri Tehsil Office

In a shocking case of mismanagement, around 25 seized vehicles and their panchanama files have gone missing from the Phulambri Tehsil Office over the past year

Seized vehicles and panchanama files vanish from Phulambri Tehsil Office in a year, CCTV DVR also stolen

Lokmat News Network

Chhatapati Sambhajinagar

In a surprising case, around 25 seized vehicles and their panchanama files have gone missing from the Phulambri Tehsil Office over the past year, while the CCTV DVR from the Tehsildar's office was stolen earlier this year, sources said.

On March 11 and June 20, 2024, the revenue team seized four tractors involved in illegal sand mining from the Girija River in Pal and Vanegaon. These tractors were parked in the tehsil office premises.

After 11 months, the tractors went missing and no FIR was registered despite the Tehsildar's directives to do so. Finally, on March 12, 2025, Revenue Assistant Akash Armal filed a complaint at the Phulambri Police Station, leading to an FIR against unknown persons. That night, the police recovered one of the four stolen tractors from Vanegaon, but the thieves remain unidentified, and the remaining three tractors are still being searched for.

As the theft occurred inside the tehsil office, suspicion has fallen on an insider's involvement. Considering the hefty penalties imposed on seized vehicles, it is speculated that this theft was planned by the local mafias to avoid fines, possibly implicating a substantial monetary transaction.

Earlier this year, the CCTV DVR from the Tehsildar's office itself was stolen. A complaint was filed by the Naib Tehsildar on January 1, 2025, and an FIR was registered, but the police have yet to identify the culprits. The case has been left unattended.

According to a retired officer, nearly 25 seized vehicles, including tractors and Hyva trucks, have been stolen over the past year. Furthermore, the panchanama files related to these vehicles have also gone missing, making it difficult to file police complaints. Despite this, no action has been taken by the concerned officials. This situation highlights corruption and negligence in the Phulambri Revenue Department.