The Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Mysuru has detected a case of theft of railway signalling cable and recovered stolen railway property.

During a surveillance operation between Ashokapuram and Kadakola railway stations on May 5, two individuals were seen moving under suspicious circumstances. The individuals — Raghu (23) and Thippana (55) — are residents of Chitradurga district in Karnataka. They were detained for inquiry.

During sustained interrogation on May 6, they confessed to having stolen approximately 15 metres of 19-core railway signalling cable about a month ago, according to the Mysuru division of South Western Railways.

At the time of the incident, they were engaged as daily wage labourers for a water pipeline project and had observed exposed railway cables during excavation work. 

They revealed that the cable was removed during the early morning hours, transported to Srinagar Layout in Mysuru, and subsequently burnt to extract copper for sale.

Based on their statements, RPF officials conducted a spot verification in the presence of independent witnesses. During the verification, burnt cable remnants and approximately 5 kilograms of burnt copper wire concealed in a plastic sack were recovered and seized as case property.

Both accused have been linked to the offence. Further legal action is being initiated under relevant provisions of law.