Sandalwood trees.
| Photo Credit: File photo
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has arrested three persons in connection with the theft of a sandalwood tree from the premises of the Railway Wheel Factory (RWF) in Yelahanka.
The incident was reported on the night of September 5, and a case was registered at the RPF Post, Railway Wheel Factory, under Section 3(a) of the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act.
Following directions from senior RWF officials, two teams were formed to trace the accused. The teams, headed by SI Chirag and Srikanth M. Patil, worked under the supervision of RPF Inspector Surajbhan.
The teams examined CCTV footage from the RWF West Colony and surrounding areas and traced a vehicle suspected to have been used in the theft to the Shivamogga area. With the assistance of local police and further CCTV analysis, the teams arrested three persons allegedly involved in the theft.
The RPF recovered the entire sandalwood tree which had allegedly been cut and stolen, along with the cutting implement and car used in the offence.
The accused have been identified as Ismail, 49, of Siddara Colony, Hunasekatte, Bhadravathi; Abibulla, 50, of Siddeswara Nagar, Chikkal, Shivamogga; and Md. Saleem, 34, of Ashok Nagar, Shivamogga.
All three were produced before a court in Bengaluru and remanded in 14 days’ judicial custody.
Published – September 22, 2026 08:44 pm IST
