Siliguri, 02 September (H.S.).

A civic volunteer has landed in police custody after being arrested on charges of stealing tea during duty hours. The accused, identified as Uttam Mandal, along with his associate Bishwajit Choudhury, was arrested on August 29 in connection with the theft of tea leaves from vehicles near a tea park adjoining NJP.

According to police, complaints were lodged at NJP police station regarding repeated incidents of tea theft from loaded vehicles. Acting on the complaint, both accused were taken into custody and later produced before court, which granted a three-day police remand for interrogation.

Based on information provided during questioning, the police recovered 32 kilograms of stolen tea leaves from a house in Ambikanagar’s Guard Para area. A motorbike allegedly used in the theft was also seized.

Police sources said that both the civic volunteer and his aide used to target tea-laden vehicles regularly and pilfer consignments. The investigation is still underway.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh