Shankarpally dacoity: Cyberabad police nab seven-member gang, recover Rs 17.5 L

Hyderabad: Cyberabad Police solved a sensational dacoity case within 24 hours of its occurrence.

A seven-member gang, including the victim’s cab driver, was arrested for looting Rs 40 lakh under Shankarpally Police Station limits in Rajendranagar Zone.

The Accused

The accused were identified as Madhu Kasula (27), cab driver, LB Nagar, Thelapuram Vijay Kumar (35), real estate dealer, RC Puram; history-sheeter in forgery and NDPS cases, Mohd. Azar (44), driver, Kachiguda; involved in three housebreaking cases.

Salin Harshavardhan (29), real estate dealer, Gachibowli; accused in five cheating cases. Shameem Mulla (26), bouncer, Charminar; earlier involved in a dacoity case, Bandra Anudeep (25), driver, Mahaboobnagar district, and Cherukula Deepak (25), bouncer, Miyapur.

Cash Recovery

Out of the Rs 40 lakh looted, police recovered Rs 17.5 lakh. Efforts are on to trace the remaining amount and verify if the gang is linked to other offences.

The Dacoity

On September 12, Hyderabad businessman Rakesh Agarwal sent his manager Sai Baba to collect Rs 40 lakh from a customer in Vikarabad.

Sai Baba engaged a cab driven by Madhu, who had been assisting him on such trips for several months.After collecting the cash, the duo began their return journey to Hyderabad. Near Hussainpur Gate, a Swift Dzire intercepted their vehicle.

Three men assaulted Sai Baba and decamped with the cash. While escaping, their car overturned near Kothapally village, forcing the gang to abandon it and flee on foot. Alert locals informed police, who rushed to the spot and launched a search operation.

Inside job by trusted driver

Investigations revealed that cab driver Madhu was the mastermind. Having observed Sai Baba regularly transporting cash, he conspired with his associates to execute the robbery.

Madhu tipped off his friends Vijay Kumar and Mohammed Azar, who roped in Harshavardhan alias Harsha. The group conducted a recce of the Vikarabad–Hyderabad route and chose Hussainpur Gate for the strike.

Harsha brought in additional accomplices, arranging a car through his friend Anudeep and including Deepak and Shameem in the team. Another vehicle driven by Vijay and Azar followed as backup. Throughout the journey, Madhu relayed Sai Baba’s movements to the gang, enabling them to carry out the attack smoothly.

Swift police action

Shankarpally Police, supported by SOT and CCS teams, formed five special teams to nab the culprits. With the help of Jadcherla, Sangareddy, and Shadnagar police, checkpoints were set up on highways.

The first breakthrough came with the arrest of car owner Anudeep. Follow-up checks at Zaheerabad and Raikal toll plaza led to the arrest of the remaining gang members. All seven were apprehended within 24 hours, the police said.