Buyers of stolen gold to get the stick

In 2013, some 1017 cases of chain-snatching were reported under the Cyberabad police limits, of which there has been a recovery rate of only 41 per cent.

The crime has evolved to such a state that the thieves have formed gangs in some vicinities. In some places like Bidar, the Iranians living in the area have formed gangs for chain-snatching. The worst part is that even if the thieves are caught they are let off with trivial punishment.

On speaking to the Cyberabad Police, it was found that there are two reasons why the crime is so rampant in the city. “First, there is a lack of substantial evidence and this leads to acquittal of the accused. Also these crimes happen at a very swift pace and the victims cannot identify the miscreants. Second, the accused are acquitted as the victims are scared of testifying in open court against the criminals,” said one of the officials.

As per the Central Crime Station (CCS), maximum number of cases registered are against chain-snatching. Chain-snatching cases are high in areas like KPHB Colony, Kukatpally, Ramnagar, Langar Houz, LB Nagar, Sainikpuri and Trimulgherry RTC Colony.

With cases on the rise in both Cyberabad and Hyderabad commissionerate areas, the police suspect the involvement of an organised group of chain snatchers, involvement of interstate gangs and an Iranian group.

Speaking to Hyderabad Hans, Sandeep Shandilya, Additional Commissioner of Police (crimes & SIT), said, “The suspicions on Iranian gangs have come down as they are not much active for the past two months.”

The police authorities have dawned upon the idea of using IPC 411 to curb the crime. Sec 411 states: Whoever dishonestly receives or retains any stolen property, knowing or having reason to believe the same to be stolen property, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

Pawn-brokers usually buy gold from such sources as they are sold at a lesser price. The police officials say that almost every pawn-broker or gold shop owner can easily identify whether the ornament is stolen, because when it is being snatched, there are evident signs of damage. But they refute from pointing it out as it is a massive profit margin for them. But if IPC 411 is implemented, the police will be able to tackle the buyers directly.