Ten Arrested in Hyderabad for Abducting Jeweller Over Real Estate Dispute

Hyderabad police have arrested 10 people for allegedly kidnapping a 53-year-old jeweller and extorting a multi-million-rupee ransom over a property dispute.

The Abduction And Ransom

The victim, K. Srinivas Rao, was abducted near the Golnaka flyover on October 5 while travelling to his shop in Ramanthapur. A 12-member gang posing as police personnel intercepted him using vehicles with fake registration plates. The kidnappers blindfolded Rao, held him captive at a secret location, and initially demanded 15 crore rupees. The family ultimately paid 1.30 crore rupees to secure his release.

Police Investigation And Arrests

The Chikkadpally police and the Commissioner's Task Force of the Secunderabad Zone tracked down and arrested 10 suspects, while two others remain absconding. Officials recovered 1.07 crore rupees in cash, gold ornaments weighing 118.26 grams, nine mobile phones, and five vehicles including a Mahindra Bolero, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, and Kia Seltos. Secunderabad Zone DCP Rakshita Murthy stated that the prime suspect, 37-year-old Dumavath Srikanth, planned the crime in August alongside Gunjapogu Suresh and the absconding Srinivas Reddy.

Motive And Criminal Background

The conspiracy stemmed from a real estate dispute involving a venture at Hemanagar in Boduppal. Srikanth allegedly held a grudge against the jeweller and wanted to use the abduction to force a property sale agreement. Police noted that several gang members have extensive criminal records. Srikanth faces prior cases for cheating in connection with residential flats, while Suresh has a history of theft, robbery, and kidnapping for ransom.

Context

Impersonating law enforcement officers using modified vehicles is a tactic occasionally used by criminal syndicates to bypass initial suspicion during targeted abductions. Police forces frequently rely on coordinated task force operations and ransom money tracking to dismantle organized gangs and recover extorted funds.