Auto driver held for Rs 10 lakh theft after road accident in Hyderabad

A 26-year-old auto-driver was arrested by KPHB police in Hyderabad for allegedly stealing Rs 10 lakh from a motorist after pretending to help him following a road accident. The complainant realised his bag was missing after being dropped home by an auto-driver.

Hyderabad: The KPHB Police on Friday arrested a 26-year-old auto driver who was allegedly involved in an attention-diversion theft that took place after a road accident in KPHB Colony earlier this month.

According to police officials, the complainant, D Uttam Kumar Varma (31), met with an accident on the night of November 7, when his car hit a road median near Addagutta Society.

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The suspect, Mudavath Shankar, a native of Nagarkurnool, currently residing in Suraram, had been following Uttam Kumar Varma in his auto and pretended to help after the mishap.

Police said Shankar assisted with shifting the damaged car and took it to a garage in Sanathnagar. He then offered to drop the injured complainant home. During the ride, he allegedly diverted the victim’s attention and stole a bag containing Rs 10 lakh.

When the complainant later realised the bag was missing and called him, Shankar switched off his phone and went into hiding. Based on a complaint, the KPHB police booked a case and arrested Shankar and recovered Rs 5.3 lakh from him.