Hyderabad: Chaderghat Police arrested the main accused in a bus chain theft case and recovered a 2.5-tola gold chain stolen from a passenger. Police said they were searching for three other accused who allegedly took part in the crime.
According to police, the incident occurred on June 23 in a TGSRTC Route 72J bus that departed from the Lal Darwaza Cross Road bus stop. The victim, Gattu Seetharama Rao, 61, was standing near the footboard because of heavy passenger rush.
Investigators said a group of men deliberately surrounded the victim and created a distraction. During the commotion, they allegedly removed the gold chain from his neck before fleeing.
Bus chain theft solved through CCTV footage
The victim noticed the theft after reaching Yashoda Hospital and lodged a complaint with Chaderghat Police.
Police examined CCTV footage from the area and identified the main accused as Kamle Ratan alias Ratan Badal, 42, an autorickshaw driver and a habitual property offender from Mangalhat Basti, Mallepally.
Based on credible information, police apprehended him on Friday morning in the Mangalhat Basti area. During the search, they recovered the stolen 2.5-tola gold chain with its locket.
Bus chain theft probe continues
During questioning, the accused allegedly confessed that he committed the theft with three associates identified as Salman, Ismail and Ibrahim. Police said the trio remained absconding and that special teams were trying to trace and arrest them.
Senior police officers commended the investigation team led by SI B. Krishna Reddy, Inspector K.B. Murari and Detective Inspector B. Srinivasa Rao for solving the case and recovering the stolen property.