KPHB auto driver held for stealing ₹10 lakh
HYDERABAD: A man who offered help after a minor accident allegedly stole ₹10 lakh in the KPHB Colony police station limits, Kukatpally Assistant Commissioner of Police Ravikiran Reddy said on Friday.
Victim carried cash for land purchase
Police said Uttam Kumar Varma of Addagutta collected ₹10 lakh from his native place on September 8 for a land purchase. He placed the cash-filled bag in his car and was driving towards Moosapet when he hit a divider. An auto driver and his friend approached him, saying they would help.
Cash taken while victim slept, police say
They shifted the car to a garage in Sanathnagar and offered to drop Varma home. While he was drowsy, the duo allegedly removed the cash from the bag. Varma later found the bag intact but the money missing. He filed a complaint with KPHB Colony police.
Digital payment helped track accused
Varma had earlier transferred a small amount to the auto driver through PhonePe as a token for the help. Police used the transaction details to track the suspect. They identified the driver as Mudavath Shankar, 26, of Suraram and detained him on Friday near the Chittaramma temple at Gajularamaram.
Police recover part of stolen cash
During questioning, Shankar told police he kept ₹8 lakh and handed ₹2 lakh to his friend, who is now on the run. Investigators said Shankar spent a large amount after the incident. Police recovered ₹5.32 lakh from him and produced him before court for remand.
