In a strange turn of events, Jabalpur, once considered the cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh and home to famed satirist Harishankar Parsai, is facing a surge in bizarre thefts. Thieves in the area have been targeting unusual items, ranging from rasgullas and goats to, most recently, five sacks of salt. What’s even more surprising is the boldness of the culprits, who are said to have used an Activa to carry out their crimes.
Theft 1: Rasgulla Thief Caught in the Act
In Sehora, two men on a scooter targeted a local bakery shop. While the shopkeeper was distracted, one of the thieves grabbed a rasgulla and, as an added bonus, stole a pouch of gutkha. The total value of the stolen items was just Rs 125, but the blow to the shopkeeper’s morale was far greater. Although the theft was considered a moral lapse rather than a serious crime, the police still registered an FIR.
Theft 2: Salt Heist Strikes Again
In Devtal, a thief on a white Activa scooter boldly swiped five bags of salt, valued at Rs 1000, from Jaypal Prajapati’s shop. The thief nonchalantly loaded the bags, as if collecting a pizza order, and drove off without any trouble.
Theft 3: Thieves Steal 9 Goats in Adhartal
In a daring heist, four thieves in a luxury car stole nine goats from Hemant Rajak’s farm in Adhartal. The theft was discovered when the owner woke up to find the enclosure empty. After reviewing CCTV footage, police arrested Ayan, Yogendra, Mohsin, and Umar, recovering eight of the goats. One goat remains missing, and its whereabouts are still unknown.
This bizarre string of thefts—ranging from rasgullas and goats to sacks of salt—raises concerns about the state of law and order. Under the new Indian Justice Code, thefts involving items worth under Rs 5000 are treated as Adam Check (Non-Cognizable Reports), not crimes. This means victims must approach the courts directly. With FIRs replaced by what locals jokingly call “food item recall” reports, the city’s crime scene has become as peculiar as it is troubling.
“Under the new Indian Justice Code (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), Section 303 outlines the punishment for theft,” said Suryakant Sharma, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) – Rural, Zone 3, Jabalpur. “This section is categorised into two parts. Theft involving less than ₹5,000 is considered a non-cognisable offence. Although a report is filed, it is treated as an ‘Adam Check’ (Non-Cognizable Report), and the complainant is advised to approach the court directly. The court then issues an order, a copy of which is provided to the complainant.”
“In cases where the theft exceeds Rs 5,000, a formal FIR is registered, followed by an investigation. The punishment can extend up to five years of imprisonment, with a minimum term of one year. This procedure is being strictly followed,” he added.
Advocate Vishal Baghel said, “In criminal law, it is essential to impose a restriction requiring magistrate approval in such cases. If the police were granted authority to act in a large number of these offences without oversight, it would significantly increase the risk of misuse, which is already a concern. That’s why this safeguard has been included in the law. If the concerned magistrate feels the case warrants cognisance, they can give their opinion and direct the police to investigate. Without this restriction, the police would certainly misuse their powers, which is exactly why the law has incorporated this check.”
What is an Adam Check Report (Non-Cognisable Report)?
An Adam Check report is filed when the police, after investigating a complaint or FIR (First Information Report), find no substantial evidence or proof of a crime. Essentially, it means that no crime has been proven, no evidence has been found, or the complaint is determined to be false or incorrect. As a result, the police file an Adam Check report, signaling that no further action will be taken on the matter.
This report is typically submitted to a magistrate’s court. Under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, thefts involving property worth less than Rs 5000 are treated as minor offenses. If the accused is a first-time offender and returns the stolen property, they may be punished with community service instead of imprisonment.
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