How Keesara police cracked app-based luring and robbery gang near Hyderabad ORR
HYDERABAD: The Keesara police have busted a seven-member gang allegedly involved in targeting victims through a social networking application and robbing them after luring them to isolated locations along the Outer Ring Road (ORR).
The case relates to FIR No. 312/2026 registered under Section 310(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, at Keesara police station in Malkajgiri commissionerate.
The complainant, Bodda Samba Shiva Rao, 24, a private employee, reported that the incident occurred on April 6, 2026, around 19.30 IST near Srinivas Nagar Colony in Rampally village.
According to the complaint, an unidentified person in a car approached him seeking directions and persuaded him to get into the vehicle citing urgency. The car then moved towards Ghatkesar, where four more persons joined, before proceeding via the ORR to Bacharam village in Abdullapurmet.
There, the victim was forced out of the vehicle, assaulted, and robbed of a 16-gram gold chain. The accused then fled towards Nagole road.
Accused used social app to identify and trap victims
Police said the accused, identified as Kusuma Karthik (A1), Ram Raja alias Kushal (A2), Bablu Singh (A3, absconding), Kandula Saiteja (A4), Gandla Sravan (A5), Macherla Pawan Kalyan (A6) and Chennakeshavula Pavan Kalyan (A7), are all residents of Warangal.
Investigators found that the group used the “Grindr” mobile application to identify and contact victims. They gained trust before luring them into vehicles under false pretexts.
The victims were then taken to isolated areas along the ORR, where other associates joined. The accused allegedly threatened the victims, recorded videos on mobile phones to intimidate them, and forcibly robbed gold ornaments and cash.
Police said the gang chose ORR locations to facilitate quick escape.
Links to earlier cases; repeat offenders identified
The accused are also suspected in a similar offence registered at Abdullapurmet police station under Crime No. 211/2026.
Police seized a gold chain weighing 15 grams, a Swift Dzire car (TS 09 UL 8804), a Vespa scooter, and six mobile phones from the accused.
Officials said A1, A4 and A6 have previous criminal records, including cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and property offences in various police stations in Warangal and Hyderabad.
The Commissioner of Police, Malkajgiri commissionerate, appreciated the efforts of Keesara police, ACP Jawaharnagar, and CCS Malkajgiri teams for solving the case.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Ch. Sridhar confirmed the arrests and ongoing investigation.
