Six held for trying to sell fake Panchaloha idol in Hyderabad

Hyderabad police apprehended six persons for attempting to sell a fake Panchaloha idol of Goddess Lakshmi and a stone by falsely claiming they possessed special powers. The suspects, including an astrologer, were caught at Laxmiguda, Katedan, and incriminating material was seized.

Hyderabad: The Commissioner’s Task Force, (Jubilee Hills), along with Mailardevpally police, apprehended six persons for allegedly attempting to sell a fake Panchaloha idol of Goddess Lakshmi and a stone by making false claims about their special powers and fortune-bringing properties.

The police seized a fake Panchaloha Lakshmi idol, a pink-coloured stone, an Ertiga vehicle, five mobile phones, three bottles containing an unknown liquid and two red towels from them.

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The suspects — Kethavath Raju alias Katappa, Vadathya Kumar, Praveen Singh, Mangali Basava Naresh, P. Narsimha and astrologer Challa Ravi — were apprehended at Laxmiguda, Katedan, on Saturday

According to police, Narsimha had allegedly purchased the idol for Rs.10 lakh in 2024 after being deceived by Ravi, Kondapelli Bikshapathi and others from Vemulawada. Narsimha later handed it over to Kumar, and the suspects allegedly formed a group to find prospective buyers and sell the idol for a higher price.

Raju also allegedly claimed possession of a stone and sought to sell it for a good price. The suspects were allegedly approaching prospective customers when police apprehended them. The suspects and seized material were handed over to Mailardevpally police for further investigation.