Temple theft gang busted; stolen ornaments worth ₹26 lakh recovered
HYDERABAD: The Kukatpally zone police, in coordination with the Central Crime Station (CCS) and KPHB police station, have arrested four members of an inter-state gang involved in temple burglaries and recovered gold, silver, and copper ornaments worth about ₹26 lakh. The gang was allegedly behind a recent burglary at Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple in Sardar Patel Nagar, KPHB Colony.
According to police, the theft occurred during the intervening night of January 6 and 7, 2026, when the accused broke into the temple’s sanctum and stole the ornaments. A case (Crime No. 38/2026) was registered under Sections 331(4) and 305 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at KPHB police station.
CCTV analysis led to gang identification
Under the supervision of senior officers, special teams examined footage from more than 200 CCTV cameras across various entry and exit points. Technical surveillance, data checks, and matching of modus operandi helped identify the suspects.
Key accused identified
Police identified the main accused as Neelapu Neelaiah alias Anil, a habitual offender involved in at least 15 previous property and robbery cases across Medchal, Shamirpet, PetBasheerabad, Genome Valley, and Neredmet police stations. He is also wanted in a robbery case (Crime No. 793/2025) registered at Ameenpur police station, Sangareddy district. While Neelaiah, along with Bashya Venkat Mohith Kumar, remains absconding, police have arrested Maharaju Mallikarjun, Dunnapothula Pawan Kalyan alias Kalyan, Dandi Anil Teja, Kambapu Vijay, and Thangila Manikanta Durga Prasad alias Akhil.
Gold, silver ornaments seized
Investigators recovered stolen property worth around ₹26 lakh, including gold, silver, and copper ornaments. A Jupiter two-wheeler and five smartphones used in the crime were also seized.
Police commendation for swift action
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Kukatpally Zone Ritiraj (IPS), DCP Crimes Muthyam Reddy, Additional DCP Crimes K. Ramkumar, ACP Crimes Nageshwara Rao, ACP Kukatpally E. Ravi Kiran Reddy, and other officers supervised the investigation. E. Ravi Kiran Reddy, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kukatpally Division, said teams from CCS Balanagar and KPHB police station worked tirelessly to trace and arrest the accused. Police staff who played key roles in detecting the case will be suitably rewarded.
