Hyderabad City: In the early hours of August 11, 2023, the Mahankali Police Station successfully apprehended a four-member gang responsible for multiple cell phone snatchings. These incidents occurred within the Mahankali Police Station jurisdiction, Gopalapuram Police Station of Hyderabad City, and Jawaharnagar Police Station under the Rachakonda Commissionerate, along with other areas.
The escalating series of cell phone thefts prompted a challenge for the police, leading the ACP of the Mahankali division to take a proactive role in addressing the issue. Teams were deployed to analyze CCTV footage, investigate the involvement of known criminals, suspects, and recently released offenders, as well as conduct vehicle checks. The ACP closely monitored the team’s progress through a dedicated WhatsApp group. Their combined efforts culminated in the successful arrest of a gang, led by Bariya Rakesh Nagaraj Yadav, also known as Abhishek, aged 19, along with the recovery of nine cell phones and Rs. 2000 in cash.
The accused individuals are as follows:
Bariya Rakesh Nagaraj Yadav alias Abhishek, 19, residing at Shiva Sai Nagar Colony, Secunderabad, working as a laborer.
Gonay Praveen, 21, residing at Shiva Sai Nagar Colony, Secunderabad, employed in centering work.
Bellamkonda Saikrishna, 19, a delivery boy for Zomato at ECIL, Secunderabad, residing in Yellareddyguda, Kapra, Hyderabad.
The seized items include:
Vivo Y01 (unclaimed)
Vivo T1 Pro 5G (unclaimed)
Realme C3 (linked to Gopalapuram Police Station case)
Tecno CAMON (linked to Jawaharnagar Police Station case)
Moto (unclaimed)
Vivo V27 (linked to Mahankali Police Station case)
Oppo A15 (belonging to accused Gonay Praveen)
Samsung cell phone (belonging to accused Bariya Rakesh Nagaraj Yadav alias Abhishek)
The gang utilized a Honda Dio scooter, owned by accused Bellamkonda Saikrishna, for their criminal activities. The vehicle, which was used without proper registration, was also seized.
The gang admitted to selling an Oppo cell phone for Rs.5000, from which they spent Rs.3000 extravagantly. The remaining Rs.2000 was found in their possession. This particular incident occurred during the cell phone snatching case recorded as Cr.No.130/2023 U/s 382 IPC at CTO Junction, Paradise, on the night of August 2, 2023.
Additionally, one of the cell phones stolen from a puncture shop in Hakimpet, under Jawaharnagar Police Station’s jurisdiction, was sold for Rs. 3000, and the money was used for their lavish expenses.
Efforts are underway to determine the ownership details based on the IMEI numbers of the unclaimed cell phones. The gang was charged under appropriate sections, including 102 Cr.P.C for unclaimed cell phones and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicle Act for offenses like triple riding, driving without a license, and lacking proper vehicle registration. These charges were added to the existing section 382 IPC, resulting in the gang’s remand to judicial custody.
The successful operation was overseen by Mr. G. Madhusudhan Rao, Addl.DCP of the North Zone, Mr. B. Ravinder, ACP of Mahankali Division, Mr. K. Parashuram, Inspector of Police at Mahankali Police Station, and other officers. The commendable work carried out in this regard has been duly acknowledged and will be appropriately rewarded.
Our Citizen Reporter
Bharat Reddy
Telangana
