In a case that underscores the growing audacity of repeat offenders and the vulnerability of railway passengers, the son of a retired police officer was arrested just 12 hours after allegedly stealing jewellery worth ₹35 lakh and cash from an elderly couple aboard the Mumbai-Indore Express. The meticulously planned theft, carried out while passengers slept, has shocked officials, especially given the accused’s deep familiarity with police processes.
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A Theft in the Night: Crime on the Rails
The Government Railway Police (GRP) crime branch has arrested Mahesh Ghah, alias Vickey, a known repeat offender and son of a retired policeman, for a high-value theft aboard the Mumbai-Indore Express. Vickey, recently released on bail just 15 days prior, allegedly stole a bag containing gold jewellery worth ₹35 lakh and ₹50,000 in cash from a 72-year-old woman travelling with her husband to Lonavala for a religious event.
According to GRP sources, the couple boarded the A2 coach and secured the valuables in a bag, which the woman kept under her pillow before going to sleep. Upon arrival in Lonavala, she discovered the bag missing and immediately lodged a complaint via the railway helpline.
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From Crime Scene to Capture: A Swift Chase
Acting swiftly, GRP Commissioner Rakesh Kalasagar formed a special task force led by Crime Branch Senior Police Inspector Vijay Khedekar and Inspector Rohit Sawant. The team reviewed CCTV footage from multiple railway stations, eventually spotting the suspect exiting with the stolen bag at Kalyan station.
The suspect had taken a detour to Chiplun, perhaps assuming it would buy him time, but the police team followed in quick pursuit. Within hours, the officers arrested him and recovered the entire stolen amount, preventing any sale or fencing of the goods.
A Familiar Face in the System: Lawbreaker Born of Lawkeeper
The arrest of Mahesh Ghah highlights the disturbing reality of how deep criminal behaviour can run, even in families of law enforcement personnel. Police records show Ghah is an offender-repeater with a long record of theft and larceny. His background, combined with insider knowledge gained from his father’s service, makes him a sophisticated repeat offender.
The accused has been charged under Section 303 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to theft. Authorities are also investigating whether Ghah had any accomplices or whether he operated alone using knowledge of train security patterns and blind spots.