Hyderabad Businessman's Rs 2 Crore Theft: Nepal Nationals Arrested, Extradition Proceedings Initiated
In a significant development, the Task Force police in Hyderabad have apprehended four individuals linked to a high-value theft case at the residence of real estate businessman Anirudh Reddy in Jubilee Hills. The incident, which occurred on the intervening night of March 13 and 14, involved the theft of jewellery and luxury items worth approximately Rs 2 crore. Notably, two of the accused, who are natives of Nepal, have been arrested in their home country, prompting authorities to initiate extradition proceedings to bring them to justice in India.
Details of the Theft and Investigation
The theft was executed by Mahesh Shahi and Apsara Shahi, both employees of Anirudh Reddy, who were residing in the basement of his duplex house. Taking advantage of Reddy and his wife Deepika's absence during a trip to Coonoor in Tamil Nadu, the duo used crowbars to forcibly enter the bedrooms on the first floor. They broke into cupboards and almirahs, making off with a substantial cache of gold, diamond jewellery, and luxury watches.
Upon their return, the couple, assisted by a neighbour, filed a formal complaint with the Jubilee Hills police on March 14. A case was registered under Sections 306 (Theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master), 305(a) (Theft in a dwelling house), and r/w 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police swiftly launched an investigation, reviewing CCTV footage from various locations and analysing phone communications of the suspects and their associates.
Breakthrough and Arrests
During the probe, authorities discovered that the accused, Mahesh and Apsara, were using aliases; their real names were identified as Prakash and Maya. A crucial tip-off revealed that the duo had fled to Nepal after the theft. Collaborating with Nepal police, the Hyderabad Task Force successfully located and arrested them in their home country. "We have initiated proceedings to extradite the duo," confirmed a Jubilee Hills police official, highlighting the cross-border efforts in the case.
Further investigations based on information provided by the arrested pair led to the apprehension of two additional associates from Delhi and Nagpur. "They left most of the stolen property with an associate in Nagpur. We have recovered a major portion of the stolen property," stated a senior police official, indicating significant progress in recovering the looted items.
Recovery and Legal Proceedings
The police have managed to retrieve a large portion of the stolen jewellery and watches, valued at around Rs 2 crore, from the associate in Nagpur. This recovery marks a key milestone in the investigation, providing relief to the victims. The case underscores the challenges of transnational crime, with authorities now navigating legal channels to extradite the Nepal-based accused to face trial in Hyderabad.
This incident has drawn attention to security concerns in upscale residential areas like Jubilee Hills, prompting calls for enhanced vigilance. The Hyderabad police's coordinated efforts with international agencies demonstrate a proactive approach to tackling such high-stakes criminal activities, ensuring that justice is pursued across borders.
