A habitual offender, identified as Saleem, was recently arrested by Bengaluru police in connection with a high-value theft involving jewellery, sarees, and other valuables. According to a senior officer, the authorities had his photograph, fingerprints, and background details on record due to previous offenses.
During the investigation into the latest theft, Indiranagar police examined Saleem’s mobile phone and discovered a screenshot of a WhatsApp video call in which he appeared wearing a police uniform. When questioned, Saleem claimed the woman in the image was his wife.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (West), Devaraja D, said the police traced Saleem’s location to Pune through technical surveillance and coordinated with Maharashtra Police. A Bengaluru team was sent to bring him back.
Further inquiries revealed that Saleem had been arrested previously by Govindapura police for a similar crime. During that custody, officers had taken him outside the city to recover stolen items and stayed in a hotel. There, Saleem allegedly wore police constable Sonare’s uniform—left in the room—and video-called his wife, pretending to be an officer.
Police said that Sonare and another constable had gone shopping, leaving Saleem locked inside the hotel room, where he seized the opportunity to boast to his wife. The incident was deemed a serious lapse in duty, leading to Sonare’s suspension.
The case has reignited concerns over custodial negligence during field operations, especially when dealing with repeat offenders like Saleem.