Planned night raid at closed Hirapur factory; watchman tied, valuables taken
Police arrested three men from different localities in Raipur on Monday in connection with a night-time dacoity at a steel factory in Hirapur that has been non-operational since 2020. Investigators said the group conducted surveillance of the premises for nearly a week before the October 22 incident and carried away industrial items and two vehicles valued at around ₹17 lakh.According to the police account, the lone watchman was seated on the office porch at about 1.30am on October 22 when he noticed a person approaching along a dark stretch of the boundary wall. The watchman was then allegedly assaulted and restrained by the gang.
“Seven to eight other men, their faces covered with cloth, overpowered the watchman and tied his hands behind his back,”the report said, describing how the intruders subsequently searched the premises and loaded materials before fleeing through a breached side wall.
Seized goods, vehicles and tools listed
Police said items recovered from the arrested suspects include metallic scrap and tools. A preliminary inventory released by investigators lists:- Bundles of aluminium wire and aluminium plates
- Copper materials and coils
- Halogen lights and a panel card
- Cash from an office drawer
- A Tata Ace vehicle and a scooter allegedly used in the raid
- Cutting and drilling machines
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Recovered materials | Aluminium wire, plates, copper coils, halogen lights, panel card, cash |
| Vehicles | Tata Ace and a scooter |
| Tools | Cutter machine, drill machine |
| Estimated value | About ₹17 lakh |
Investigation relied on CCTV, technical analysis and informers
Officers said they analysed thousands of hours of CCTV footage from the factory’s neighbourhood and along probable escape routes. Technical examination, inputs from informers and records linked to suspected offenders helped narrow down suspects and led to the arrests. The detained men were taken into custody after recovery of the materials, the two vehicles and the power tools allegedly used in the break-in. Police added that the gang had broken through a side wall to move the stolen material across adjoining fields towards the Ring Road. Other suspected members remain at large and police said efforts are under way to apprehend the remaining accused and to identify any traders or handlers of the stolen goods.Implications for closed industrial units and local security
The incident has raised concerns about security at idle industrial units in and around Raipur. The factory at Hirapur has been shut since 2020, and investigators note that long-dormant sites with limited on-site supervision can be vulnerable to organised theft operations that use surveillance, diversion and rapid removal of scrap and electrical items. Local business owners and residents in adjoining areas told police they expect stepped-up night patrolling and tighter monitoring of abandoned or under-utilised industrial facilities. Officers said enhanced checking of scrap markets and vehicle movements on routes leading from the factory were being carried out to prevent disposal of stolen material.Next steps
Police said the three arrested men will face further interrogation and legal proceedings under relevant sections for dacoity and criminal conspiracy. Investigators are continuing to examine CCTV records, phone trails and local leads to locate the absconding members of the gang and to trace the final recipients of the recovered industrial material.For residents and industrial stakeholders in Raipur, the case underscores the need for vigilant site security and rapid reporting of suspicious movements near closed factories and scrap-prone premises.
