Hyderabad Police Apprehends Notorious Burglar with Alleged Gangland Past
In a significant breakthrough, Hyderabad police have arrested a 53-year-old habitual burglar with alleged past connections to the notorious Chhota Rajan gang. The arrest occurred during a late-night vehicle inspection at the Mallepally crossroads, where the suspect was apprehended along with an accomplice.
Stolen Ornaments Worth ₹33.71 Lakh Recovered
During the operation, law enforcement officials seized gold and silver ornaments valued at approximately ₹33.71 lakh from the accused individuals. The arrested suspects have been identified as Saleem Qureshi (53), a chef residing in Tolichowki, and his brother-in-law Mohammed Ghouse Pasha (33), who works as a driver. Police investigations suggest they are part of an extensive interstate burglary network, with another associate named Saber, a Mumbai resident, currently absconding.
During interrogation, Qureshi made a startling confession to authorities, admitting to involvement in more than 200 house burglaries across various Indian states over the years. His criminal activities spanned Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, establishing him as a prolific offender in property crimes.
Violent Past and Gangland Connections
According to police records, Qureshi was previously associated with the Chhota Rajan criminal organization, where he allegedly participated in activities including gold smuggling and land settlement disputes. His criminal trajectory took a violent turn in the year 2000 when he reportedly stole gold and diamonds worth ₹9.5 crore from the residence of a Mumbai gangster.
This high-value theft triggered a brutal retaliation by masked gunmen in Navi Mumbai, resulting in the deaths of two of Qureshi's associates. Fearing for his life following this violent attack, Qureshi fled Mumbai and relocated to Hyderabad in 2001, where he attempted to establish a new life away from his criminal past.
Troubled Background and Criminal Evolution
Police investigations have revealed that Qureshi experienced a difficult childhood marked by tragedy. After the suicide of his biological parents, he was raised by adoptive parents before eventually finding employment with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. However, his life took a downward spiral as he drifted into substance abuse and organized crime networks.
After settling in Hyderabad, Qureshi initially attempted to operate legitimate businesses but returned to criminal activities following financial setbacks. Over time, he developed a sophisticated modus operandi for burglaries:
- Conducting daytime reconnaissance in second-hand vehicles to identify locked houses
- Returning late at night to break into targeted properties
- Specializing in theft of gold and silver ornaments
Organized Burglary Network and Disposal Methods
Qureshi later formed a dedicated burglary gang and collaborated closely with his brother-in-law Pasha. The duo established a systematic approach to handling stolen goods:
- Collecting stolen ornaments from various gang members
- Melting the precious metals into gold biscuits at Qureshi's residence
- Concealing the origin of the stolen materials through this process
- Selling the processed gold to jewellery traders in markets including Nashik and Hyderabad
Police officials have confirmed that the accused were involved in at least eight major property thefts across multiple states during 2025 and 2026 alone. The investigation has now expanded to trace other members of this criminal network and recover additional stolen property. Law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing the absconding associate and working to dismantle the entire burglary operation.
