Retired GST official robbed of gold ring

Warasiguda police arrested three persons on Sunday in connection with an attention diversion theft reported from Lalitha Nagar earlier this month, in which a gold ring was stolen from a retired GST superintendent.

The accused were identified as Subhash Nath, 23, Karan Nath, 21, and Sohan Nath, 23, all natives of Madhya Pradesh. Police said the complainant, Venigalla Ravi, 62, a retired GST superintendent residing in Lalitha Nagar, was cheated on February 5.

According to the police, the incident occurred between 12.15 p.m. and 12.30 p.m. when two of the accused approached Ravi outside his residence, reportedly asking for drinking water. They then persuaded him to hand over a gold ring with a green stone, weighing about five grams, claiming they would perform prayers.

Police said that after taking the ring, one of the accused allegedly swallowed it, following which the two fled the spot and joined a third accomplice waiting nearby in an autorickshaw.

Based on the complaint, the Warasiguda police analysed CCTV footage from the surrounding area and gathered local inputs to trace the suspects. All three accused were later apprehended, and the stolen gold ring was recovered.

Police said the accused had migrated to Hyderabad for livelihood and were staying in makeshift huts near Jalpally Road at Pahadishareef. They allegedly targeted elderly persons by posing as individuals offering spiritual remedies and committing thefts under the pretext of prayers.

The arrests were made by the Warasiguda police crime team under the supervision of senior officers of the Secunderabad zone.