A thief suspected in the burglary at former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Eknath Khadse’s home was arrested in Ulhasnagar on Saturday. Mohammad Bilal Abdul Razzak Chowdhury (25) was apprehended by Pydhonie police after allegedly breaking into a Masjid Bunder residence and stealing valuables worth Rs9 lakh along with legal documents.
Bilal had been on the run since the Masjid Bunder burglary on October 13. Police traced him using footage from around 500 CCTV cameras, which led them to Ulhasnagar. Officials said Bilal is also suspected in the robbery at Khadse’s Jalgaon home, which occurred on October 28. Thieves stole jewellery worth Rs7 lakh, a CD, and a pen drive.
Local authorities also arrested Chirag Sayyad and Kailash Khandelwal, jewellers from Ulhasnagar, who purchased jewellery stolen in the Khadse case. The main accused—Ejaz Ahmed, Mohammad Bilal, and Baba—had been on the run until Bilal’s capture.
Sub-inspector Anil Wayal of Pydhonie police, under Deputy Commissioner Mohit Garg, led the arrest. Police said Bilal’s apprehension will aid the Jalgaon investigation and help recover additional stolen property.
The complainant in the Masjid Bunder case, Shabbir Mehta, had been away in Gujarat when his home was burgled.
