Allegations regarding the illegal removal of underground cable wires of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) in Mumbai’s western suburbs were raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly during the ongoing Budget Session on Tuesday (March 10). However, the state government clarified that no such specific case, as mentioned in the question, has been registered with the city police.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sunil Prabhu (Dindoshi) had asked whether an unidentified gang had used JCB machines at night to dig up municipal roads between Andheri, Jogeshwari, Dahisar and Magathane and illegally remove MTNL cable wires laid beneath the roads. According to the question, the cables were allegedly sold, resulting in a fraud worth crores of rupees. It also sought to know whether cases had been registered around December 10, 2025 at Oshiwara, Versova, Charkop and Dahisar police stations.
Government Denies Specific Incident
Responding to the question, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in a written reply informed the Assembly that no such case had been registered in December 2025 under the jurisdiction of the Oshiwara, Versova, Charkop or Dahisar police stations regarding unidentified persons digging up roads using JCB machines to steal MTNL cables.
He further clarified that claims about 10 to 12 persons being booked at Oshiwara Police Station, 15 to 20 persons being shown as absconding, or any alleged involvement of political individuals in the cable theft racket are not supported by police records.
Data on MTNL Cable Theft Cases in Mumbai
While denying the specific allegations, the government provided statistical data on cases related to MTNL cable theft across the entire Brihanmumbai area between 2023 and 2025.
In 2023, a total of seven cases were registered, out of which five were solved, leading to the arrest of 19 persons. Property worth Rs 8.33 lakh was reported stolen, and Rs 6.21 lakh worth of property was recovered.
In 2024, 19 cases were registered, of which 13 were solved, resulting in the arrest of 30 persons. Property worth Rs 23.01 lakh was stolen, while Rs 11.49 lakh worth of property was recovered.
In 2025, 26 cases were registered, with 16 cases solved and 58 persons arrested. Property worth Rs 1.13 crore was reported stolen, while property worth Rs 1.17 crore was recovered.
No Inquiry Required, Says Govt
The Chief Minister stated that since no such case as mentioned in the Assembly question has been registered with the concerned police stations, the question of conducting a separate inquiry into the alleged incident does not arise.
