Crime file: Woman dragged out of cab, gang raped in Kolkata; 9-yr-old Kerala boy dies after consuming dad's liquor, and more
Kolkata: A 21-year-old woman was allegedly gang raped by five-six youths in a truck, looted her belongings and then dropped her in a deserted place in the city, police said on Monday.
A drug addict, was arrested this evening in connection with the crime committed Sunday night, Kolkata Police Commissioner S.K. Purakayastha said. He was identified as Mohammad Hamid alias Raja.
"We have arrested Mohammed Hamid in the case. He has admitted to the crime. The victim is quite stable now. We are investigating the case and are on a lookout to nab the other culprits," Purakayastha said after meeting the girl at Belle Vue clinic.
The woman is also believed to have recorded a statement, but police refused to divulge details.
The incident took place when the woman, an employee of a mall in the southern part of the city and who hails from Kulgachia in Howrah district, was returning home along with her friends around 9 pm.
Police said the woman and her friends hired a taxi to Park Circus where she dropped her companions and then went to Kidderpore from where she intended to catch a bus to Howrah.
At that time, a car stopped by her side and five-six youths pulled her inside the vehicle brandishing a knife.
The car then sped off to a deserted area nearby where the youths pulled her out and then dragged her inside a vacant lorry and took turns in raping her.
According to police sources, the truck in which the crime took place has also been tracked. The victim in an unconscious state, was dumped near Babughat by the Ganga early in the morning.
After regaining her senses, she went to the Howrah station and from there called her relatives, police said.
Later, she was taken to the Howrah State General Hospital from where she was shifted to the private super speciality clinic. Police is checking CCTV footage and a team of Kolkata Police Detective Department is looking into the case.
Initially the police said the woman was 25-years-old, but later on it was known that she is 21.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee promised stern action against the culprits.
"I have directed the administration to immediately arrest the culprits and take stringent action against them. The culprits will not be spared," she told reporters in Siliguri, adding her government would take care of the woman's treatment at the private clinic.
Next: 9-yr-old Kerala boy dies after consuming dad's liquor
9-yr-old boy dies after consuming dad's liquor
Kollam (Kerala): A nine-year-old boy who consumed liquor kept at home by his father, died in a nearby hospital on Monday.
Doctors at the hospital where the boy was admitted said presence of alochol was found in his intestine during the examination.
Police later took the statement of his father, a construction worker, who admitted that he had kept a pint of liquor at home which the boy might have consumed. The boy is suspected to have emptied the bottle when his parents had gone out on Sunday.
On their return, they found him unconsious and rushed him to a hospital at Kunnikkode near Pathanapuram town. Police said a case had been registered in connection with the incident but no arrest had been made so far.
Next: Woman dies after being set ablaze by unidentified robber in AP
Woman dies after being set ablaze by unidentified robber in AP
Hyderabad: A 30-year-old woman died after an unidentified person allegedly set her ablaze in her house after she resisted his bid to rob her, in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh on Monday, the police said.
The incident occured at Vishwanathpuram in Podili town of Prakasam district at around 11.30 am, the police said, adding that the accused set one Sunitha on fire after she raised an alarm when a burkha-clad person tried to rob her of her jewellery and attempted to strangle her.
Based on a preliminary probe, the police said that though it appeared to be a case of murder for gain, the real motive would be determined only after further investigation. The assailant is yet to be identified, since the accused fled the scene after the incident, the police said.
A case of murder and house tresspass in order to commit an offence, among other charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code has been registered in connection with the incident, even as further investigations are on, the police said.
Next: Indian man jailed for molesting maid in Dubai
Indian man jailed for molesting maid in Dubai
Dubai: A 26-year-old Indian man has been sentenced to three months in jail for molesting a maid in the elevator of an apartment block here.
The criminal court here heard that the accused, a juice bar employee, known with the initials MR, followed the maid into the lift and molested her while on a delivery errand at the apartment building, local media reported on Monday.
The victim said the accused grabbed her from behind and forcibly tried to kiss her.
"No one heard but as the lift opened in the second floor I ran out," the maid was quoted as saying. But the accused maintained that he had only held the woman's hand with her consent. He will be deported after serving the jail term.
Next: Youth arrested for molesting 8-yr-old Bangalore girl
Youth arrested for molesting 8-yr-old Bangalore girl
Bangalore: The Madiwala police have arrested an 18-year-old youth for allegedly sexually assaulting his neighbour – a minor girl – after luring her to his house on Saturday evening.
The suspect has been identified as Ravichandra, a resident of Venkatapura Janatha Colony. Around 6 pm on Saturday, Ravichandra reportedly lured the 8-year-old girl to his house on the pretext of offering her snacks.
A while later, the girl’s mother realised that she was missing and began a frantic search in the vicinity, along with other neighbours.
On hearing muffled screams from the adjacent house; the girl’s mother reportedly went in through the back door and found Ravichandra allegedly molesting the girl.
She raised an alarm but the suspect managed to escape. The Madiwala police were informed, and they managed to nab Ravichandra on Sunday.
Both the victim and the suspect were sent for medical examination, where it was confirmed that the girl had not been raped. A case has been filed, and a detailed probe is on.
Next: Burglar lynched after killing house owner
Burglar lynched after killing house owner
45-year-old Buddhu Ram and his wife (40) resisted the burglar late last night and in the scuffle, Ram died after being hit by a sharp weapon by the intruder, Superintendent of Police Y S Ramesh told reporters here.
His wife suffered injuries, he added.
Hearing their cries, local people rushed to their house and caught the bufglar and lynched him, he said adding that the burglar was yet to be identified.
Next: Neighbour stabs woman, daughter in Bangalore
Neighbour stabs woman, daughter in Bangalore
Bangalore: Petty misunderstandings between the families of two tenants in the same building led to the murder of a 45-year-old woman, who was stabbed by her 30-year-old neighbour near Sunkadakatte in Kamakshipalya police limits on Sunday evening. The deceased woman’s daughter too was injured in the attack.
The deceased is Sarojamma, a resident of 10th cross, 2nd main Hoysala Nagar, near Sunkadakatte in Kamakshipalya. Police said Sarojamma lived with her daughter Shruthi (24), and her son-in-law, Parmesh. The suspect, identified as Ganesh, was employed as a cab driver and lived with his family in the same building.
Ganesh had been staying there for nearly two and a half years, while Sarojamma and her family moved in a few months ago. The trouble started when Shruthi reportedly began taking tuition for the children of Deepa, another tenant in the building. Police said Ganesh’s wife and Sarojamma used to frequently get into minor arguments and altercations about drinking water in the building, and noise from each others’ houses.
The two families were said to be at loggerheads from quite sometime. On Saturday evening, Deepa’s children came to Sarojamma’s house for tuition as usual, but Ganesh is said to have been disturbed by the noise.
He then reportedly quarrelled with Shruthi and demanded that she stop teaching them. Upset by this, Sarojamma and Shruthi reportedly called up Ravi, the building owner, and complained about Ganesh’s behaviour.
Ravi later called up Ganesh and ordered him to vacate the house by Sunday afternoon. On Sunday morning, Sarojamma and Ganesh’s wife reportedly had a spat over the availability of drinking water in the building.
Around 12.30 pm, while Ganesh’s family was vacating their house, Sarojamma allegedly passed some spiteful comments about the family. Ganesh’s family members remained silent and did not retaliate.
However, around 2.30 pm, Ganesh reportedly came back to the building, armed with a knife, and began a heated argument with Sarojamma outside her house. He then stabbed her neck repeatedly, causing her to collapse in a pool of blood.
Shruthi, who was present in the house, rushed outside and tried to stop Ganesh. He allegedly stabbed her below her left shoulder and on her back and fled.
Though the duo was screaming for help, passers by and neighbours did not come forward until Ganesh had escaped, said the police. Sarojamma died on the spot from severe loss of blood, while Shruthi was admitted to Lakshmi multispeciality hospital in a critical condition.
Deputy commissioner of police (West) D C Rajappa told this newspaper, “The suspect stabbed Sarojamma in her neck, as a result of which she died within a few minutes. He also stabbed her daughter, whose condition was serious when she was hospitalised.
However, doctors informed us on Sunday evening that she was out of danger. We are yet to ascertain the exact motive behind the murder, but it appears to be for revenge over the trivial arguments the two families had. Ganesh is absconding at the moment, but our police teams are closing in on him.”
A case has been registered by the Kamakshipalya police, who are conducting a detailed inquiry.
Next: Criminal gangs stealing mobiles in Hyderabad
Criminal gangs stealing mobiles in Hyderabad
K.K. Abdul Rahoof | DC
Hyderabad: Mobile phone theft has become an organised crime in the city with many gangs entering the business. The gangs have pickpockets on the field to steal phones, receivers to accept the stolen phones and exporters.
Thousands of high-end stolen phones are smuggled to other states and exported (through parcel services) abroad from the city every month after paying customs duties. However, the local police, who receive a large number of complaints about mobile thefts every day, are downplaying it and refuse to book cases.
Crime addl. CP Sandeep Shandilya said the police has recognised the thefts as an organised crime and know their modus operandi.
The theft of mobile phones does not look like a serious crime as the value of the phones are less in individual cases. But the gangs have nade it a big business by operating with pickpockets, receivers and exporters.
The police has failed to trace the gangs due to two reasons. “First of all usually FIRs are not issued for mobile thefts.
When victims go to lodge a complaint, cops inform them that FIRs will be issued only if the cost of phone is more than Rs 20,000. Otherwise only a GD entry is made. Without an FIR, there will be no investigation and the case will be dropped,” said the official.
“Secondly, even if the pickpocket is arrested, it’s very difficult to extract information from him as he is just a cog in the wheel. They don’t have much knowledge about the gang. The receivers deliver stolen phones in bulk to the big players,” the official said.
Earlier, CCS officials had found a gang which operated in Jagdish market. Police arrested a suspect named Bandi Ramu, 26, a resident of Meerpet, who stole 150 costly mobile phones and bought a Skoda car and also funded his sibling’s education.
Last week police commissioner Anurag Sharma issued a memo to police stations asking them to issue FIRs for all mobile phone theft cases. Shandilya said that it was necessary to issue FIRs to launch investigations.
Next: Rs 9 lakh jewellery robbed
Rs 9 lakh jewellery robbed
Nellore: Thieves struck at a local jewellery shop at Buchireddypalem in Nellore district past midnight on Saturday and decamped with jewellery worth Rs 9 lakh.
The incident came to light in the early hours on Sunday after the owner of JSR Silver Palace at Andhra Bank Street in Buchireddy-palem reached the shop and was shocked to notice the shutters of the shop were cut.
Narasimha Rao, the owner of the shop who realised something was wrong reported the incident to the local police station immediately.
Led by local Deputy Superintendent of Police Rambabu, Circle Inspector Sambasiva Rao and other police reached the shop and examined the scene of offence.
They also pressed clues team to collect vital information. According to DSP Ram-babu, the thieves gained entry into the shop by breaking open the shutters with the help of sharp cutters.
Around 100 grams of gold articles weighing around 12 kg were reportedly stolen. According to the owner of the shop, the stolen valuables are worth around Rs 9 lakh. Local police have registered a case and have started a hunt for the thieves.
Next: Caught smuggling Rs 13 lakh in gold
Caught smuggling Rs 13 lakh in gold
Kochi: Air customs intercepted a passenger on Sunday morning while attempting to smuggle 488 grams of gold through Cochin International Airport. The man, idenfied as Naushad Puthalath (33) of Mokeri in Kannur, was carrying six crude gold rods coated with silver and two gold coins. The total seizure is valued at Rs 13,33,816 in market.
“The passenger was intercepted at the exit gate of the Arrival Hall, on suspicion that he was carrying contraband gold. On X-ray examination of his baggages, there were dark coloured metal rods found inside his hand baggage alongside the beadings,” said S.A.S. Navaz the deputy commissioner of Customs.
“The rods were cleverly concealed alongside the beadings and stitched inside. This novel innovative method of concealment is noticed for the first time. On personal search, two more gold coins totally weighing eight grams were also recovered,” the officer said.
Next: Gold, cash robbed at knife point
Gold, cash robbed at knife point
Anantapur: In a shocking incident, a stranger threatened a woman with a knife and robbed over 30 tulas of gold jewellery and Rs One lakh cash at her residence located at AP Housing Board colony here in the broad daylight on Sunday.
According to police, B. Venkata Ramana was running a hotel in Raju Road in Anantapur and residing at House No 332 near Venkateswara Swamy temple in AP Housing Board colony.
On Sunday, at around 10.30 am, he took his children to the nearby pulse polio immunisation centre while his wife B. Lahari was alone staying in the house.
Soon after he left the house, an unidentified person entered the house saying that he was AC mechanic. Though, Lahari tried to stop him that no AC unit was being used in the house, the culprit rushed inside the house and threatened her with a sharp knife. He forced her to remove all jewellery including rings and ear hangings.
Later, he threatened her to give other valuables and cash in the safe locker. Feared with the life threat, she gave away gold jewellery and Rs One lakh cash kept in the safe locker.
After collecting the gold and cash, the culprit escaped from the house. Lahari, who was in deep shock with the sudden incident, explained to her husband about the entire episode. Venkata Ramana lodged a complaint with the police.
Anantapur DSP K. Nagaraju rushed to the spot along with clues team. One town police registered case. and started manhunt for the robber.
DSP all police stations were alerted in and surrounding Anantapur based on the identification marks of the robber. The incident took place in the broad day light in the heart of the town was pointing out police lapses to curb increasing robberies and chain snatching cases in Anantapur.
Next: 2 held for bid to sell fake gold
2 held for bid to sell fake gold
Kochi: Two persons were arrested by the Mardu police here for trying to sell fake gold to a gold trader based at Kumbalam. The trader was made to believe that the gold was worth Rs 1 crore.
Kochi based brothers Prasannakumar and Harikumar who were arrested, told the trader that they will sell him gold at lower rates avoiding the tax component.
To gain the confidence of the trader, they first gave him five original gold chips and then told him that they had more chips weighing 4 kg with them for sale.
They asked him to come to their Kakkanad flat. Accordingly the trader arrived at the flat and was given the gold but the trader felt something fishy and left the place saying he will come back with adequate money.
On learning that the chips were fake, the trader informed the police who effected the arrest. The chips containing 85 percent copper were rolled in gold.
Next: 3 arrested for eve-teasing on train
3 arrested for eve-teasing on train
Salem: Three persons were held for harassing a woman passenger travelling in a night train on Saturday. AccordÂing to police, M. TamilÂarasi, 34, a native of Erode, was travelling from ChenÂnai to Erode by TrivaÂnÂdrum ExprÂess on SatuÂrday when a group of people from VillivÂakkam and other areas of Chennai boarded the train to go to Trivandrum for a wedding.
ThrÂee persons from the groÂup, started to misbehave with her, passing lewd comments. On a complaint with the TTE, a railway police team arrested them at Erode.
Next: Six held for smuggling red sanders
Six held for smuggling red sanders
Chennai: The Tiruvallur police seized red sander logs worth over Rs 50 lakh near Red Hills on Saturday night when the smugglers were allegedly trying to transfer the wood from one lorry to another in Almatti.
The police had also arrested six persons, including two who had previous history of smuggling red sanders, in connection with the seizure.
Two lorries were also seized by the police team. “Two of the accused, Indirakumar and Gowtham, were wanted for stealing seized red sanders kept in Vengal police station a few weeks back,” the police said.
According to the police, the gang had procured the wood from Andhra Pradesh forest and was trying to send it to Mumbai.
