Dismantled and sold: The chilling tale of a stolen vehicle

A high-stakes vehicle theft case that began with the mysterious disappearance of a tipper truck has turned into a gripping tale of crime, deception and a carefully executed cover-up. What seemed like a routine vehicle theft soon revealed an organised operation aimed at dismantling and vanishing heavy vehicles without a trace.

The case was registered at Kala Amb Police Station of Sirmaur district on May 27 after a tipper truck (HR37E-5499), previously impounded for illegal mining and awaiting release through court orders, vanished before the owner could reclaim it. By the time authorities realised what had happened, the truck had already crossed state lines and disappeared into Punjab’s underbelly.

Investigations led police to a scrap shop in Khanauri Mandi, Punjab — a notorious hub for grey-market vehicle parts. There, they made a chilling discovery: the stolen tipper had been completely dismantled. Its body lay in pieces, along with 13 tyres and rims, two batteries and bundles of stripped wiring. It was clear — the thieves didn’t just want to steal a vehicle, they wanted to erase it.

Sirmaur police acted swiftly, arresting Sahil Goyal, believed to be the mastermind, on June 7. His associate, Gurpreet, was already lodged in Yamunanagar jail for a different crime. He was taken into custody on a production warrant. Both were presented in court on Wednesday. Sahil was remanded till June 12, while Gurpreet’s remand was extended till June 15.

In a surprising twist, the accused have agreed to pay the victim the full value of the vehicle, admitting their role in the theft. However, any settlement will require judicial sanction. Since the vehicle was dismantled, the insurance claim has become void — leaving compensation from the culprits as the only viable option for the owner.

Superintendent of Police Nishchint Singh Negi confirmed the developments. “The recovery proves this wasn’t just a one-off theft. We suspect this is part of a larger, organised ring operating across state borders,” he said. The police are now chasing leads that could expose an entire network of criminals profiting from stolen heavy vehicles.

With more arrests expected, this case has blown the lid off a sinister dismantling racket — one that strips not just metal, but the very identity of stolen vehicles.

Himachal Tribune