Hyderabad: Hyderabad police arrested six men for allegedly trying to cheat buyers by selling a Fake Panchaloha idol and a pink stone at inflated prices. The suspects allegedly claimed that the Lakshmidevi idol had divine powers and could bring good fortune.
The Jubilee Hills Zone Task Force and Mylardevpally Police conducted a joint operation in Lakshmiguda, Kathedan, on August 15. Task Force DCP Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath said police acted on credible information that the suspects were waiting for prospective buyers.
During the raid, officers caught the six suspects and seized the idol, a pink stone and other material.
Fake Panchaloha idol allegedly bought for Rs 10 lakh
Police identified the accused as Kethavath Raju alias Kattappa, 38, a car driver from Choudur village in Nawabpet, Mahabubnagar district. The other accused included Vadathya Kumar, 34, a car driver from Lakshmiguda, and Praveen Singh, 34, a driver from Madhuban Colony in Kathedan.
Police also arrested Mangali Basava Naresh, 38, a worker from Lakshmiguda, and P. Narasimha, 45, a car driver. Narasimha lived in Lakshmiguda and hailed from Loyapally in Manchal, Rangareddy district. The sixth accused, Challa Ravi, 38, worked as an astrologer and lived at Cheerlavancha in Vemulawada, Rajanna Sircilla district.
According to police, Narasimha bought the Fake Panchaloha idol for Rs 10 lakh in 2024. He allegedly purchased it from Challa Ravi and Kondapalli Bhikshapathi in Vemulawada. However, police said Narasimha later realised that he had been cheated with a fake idol. Subsequently, he handed it over to Vadathya Kumar.
Gang allegedly planned to resell fake idol
Police said the suspects then formed a group and planned to sell the idol to unsuspecting buyers at a high price. They allegedly intended to convince prospective customers that the Lakshmidevi idol possessed divine powers and brought good luck.
Meanwhile, Kethavath Raju allegedly claimed that he possessed a rare pink stone. He joined the group with plans to sell the stone for a high price, police said. The suspects allegedly gathered near Lakshmiguda in Kathedan on Saturday to find buyers for the idol and stone.
Acting on information, the Task Force and Mylardevpally Police raided the location and apprehended them.
Fake Panchaloha idol, vehicle and phones seized
Police seized one fake Panchaloha Lakshmidevi idol and one pink-coloured stone during the operation. Officers also seized an Ertiga vehicle bearing registration number TS 04 B 0549.
In addition, police recovered five mobile phones and three bottles containing unidentified chemical liquids. They also seized two red towels. Jubilee Hills Zone Task Force Inspector Chetri Yadender led the operation along with Sub-Inspector G. Sandeep Reddy and his team. Mylardevpally Police also participated in the raid.
The Task Force later handed the six accused and seized property to the Mylardevpally Police Station SHO for further investigation. Task Force DCP Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath released the details of the operation.