In a significant crackdown, Aurangabad police have apprehended three individuals involved in the illegal smuggling of cenosphere ash from the BRBCL (NTPC) power project in Nabinagar, Aurangabad district. The ash, reportedly stolen, was being transported to Chhattisgarh. Nabinagar police seized a truck laden with ash on Tuesday and arrested the truck driver along with two accomplices. A car, allegedly used as a pilot vehicle to escort the truck, and three mobile phones were also confiscated.

Police received intelligence about the ash theft from the BRBCL project and the use of a pilot car. Acting on this tip-off, officers raided Aryan Dharmakanta at Raman Mor Balu Ghat, where the truck was being weighed. Upon questioning, the truck driver confessed to stealing the ash and transporting it to Chhattisgarh.

The arrested driver has been identified as Lalit Kumar Barik, a resident of Barik village in Pathalgaon police station area of Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh. Based on his information, police arrested two other accused: 45-year-old Amarendra Kushwaha and 32-year-old Manoj Kumar, both residents of Khadha village in NTPC Khaira police station area.

Station House Officer Mrityunjay Upadhyay stated that the driver failed to produce any valid documents for the ash. All three accused admitted to stealing the ash for sale in Chhattisgarh. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway. The seized ash is reportedly used in the manufacturing of kajal and other products. Police are investigating to determine if more individuals are involved in this smuggling operation.