Cops ask Yellow Gate team to investigate theft cases

Top officials of the south region of Mumbai police pulled up the Yellow Gate police as there has been no breakthrough in previous theft cases at Bombay High oil rigs and platforms.

Top officials of the south region of Mumbai police pulled up the Yellow Gate police as there has been no breakthrough in previous theft cases at Bombay High oil rigs and platforms.

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The incidents are seen as a security threat to the vital installation, which is why a special team of Yellow Gate police has been constituted only to investigate and report these cases to the top bosses.

As a part of the investigation, the Yellow Gate police will seek details of all the boats (fishermen boats and trawlers) that passed near Bombay High when the thefts were reported.

The policemen have been asked to seek requisite details of these boats and trawlers from the coast guard, the fishery department and other authorities.

The police team constituted to probe the theft cases at Bombay High will be henceforth responsible for the investigation also, officials added.

The team will begin with a search on all scrap yards near Mumbai’s shore and its neighbouring districts, as officials suspect the stolen goods are first stored at godowns there and later sold.

There have been at least eight incidents of thefts at Bombay High since 2011.

Top police officials, along with rig operators, had recently visited the unmanned platforms in the sea, following which a list of security measures required to be taken was submitted to the operators.

Krishna Prakash, additional commissioner of police (south region) said, “The police station has been asked to prioritise the investigation of pending theft cases at Bombay High. Day to day feedback will be taken in connection with the development in the investigation as this is a sensitive security issue.”