Kukatpally murder highlights thefts, burglaries, violent crimes by migrant workers

Hyderabad: A wave of crimes involving domestic workers and migrant labourers has sent shockwaves across the city.

Police records reveal an alarming rise in cases of theft, burglary and even violent crimes committed by those employed in households and apartments.

116 theft cases in 2023

Official figures reflect the growing concern, as many as 116 theft cases were reported in 2023, and 173 theft cases have been reported (till date) in Hyderabad.

The most recent and chilling incident occurred at Kukatpally, where two domestic helpers brutally murdered a housewife for valuables.

Kukatpally murder: Tortured for locker password

On Wednesday, 50-year-old Renu Agarwal, a resident of Swan Lake Apartments, Kukatpally, was found dead inside her flat.

Two domestic helpers, Harsh (20) and Roushan, both from Jharkhand, allegedly tied her up, attacked her with a pressure cooker and stabbed her repeatedly with a knife and scissors.

Police suspect they tortured her in a desperate bid to obtain the password to her digital locker. Failing in their attempt, the duo looted gold ornaments and cash worth several lakhs before fleeing.

CCTV footage later captured them escaping on a scooty, abandoning it at Hafeezpet Railway Station, from where they are believed to have boarded a train. Five special police teams have been formed to track them down, said Kukatpally ACP E Ravi Kiran Reddy.

Trust betrayed, wealth stolen

The Kukatpally case is not an isolated incident.

In June, a group of Nepali nationals employed as helpers at a businessman’s house in Kachiguda allegedly spiked food with intoxicants before fleeing with property worth several crores. They remain at large.

Similarly, in February, burglars posing as workers targeted a businessman’s house in Narayanguda, escaping with diamonds, gold and Rs 25 lakh in cash after ensuring the family was away.

Migrant workers exploited—and exploiting

Police say most accused in such crimes belong to other states.

Often working for low wages in households, shops or construction sites, they build trust by rarely taking leave. But in several cases, this trust has been fatally misplaced.

With manpower shortages in apartment and construction sectors, many migrants secure jobs directly through contacts, bypassing any formal verification. This makes households vulnerable to infiltration by gangs who enter under the guise of workers.

According to investigators, gangs sometimes wait for the right moment, when homes are vacant or when only elderly residents are present, to strike. In certain cases, women posing as workers have lured householders with charm before committing theft.

Weak surveillance

Despite repeated incidents, surveillance of migrant workers remains inadequate.

Beat officers are expected to gather intelligence on new arrivals through locals, but the practice has largely fallen into disuse.

Hotels and lodges, too, are mandated to maintain guest records, yet complaints persist that details are often collected casually, weakening the trail of information available to law enforcement.

Police advise caution

Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant when hiring workers. Their advisory includes:

- Always verify backgrounds thoroughly.

- Collect Aadhaar copies, photographs and native address details.

- Avoid relying solely on acquaintances’ recommendations.

- Limit access to valuables and keep jewellery or large sums of money in bank lockers.

- For systematic checks, police recommend using the HAWK-EYE app, where employers can submit Aadhaar details of workers.

- Verification reports are promised within 10 days.