Two Kids Steal Money for Food, Parents Blame

Hyderabad:Two 12-year-olds allegedly stole Rs 8,000 from a locked flat in Venkatapuram, Alwal, to buy food after being neglected at their home, police said on Thursday.The incident occurred around 11 pm on August 17, when the two minors, who are friends, entered an apartment to collect donations for the upcoming Ganesh festival.

Police said the flat was locked and its owner had left the keys on a window beside the main door before going to a temple. The minors allegedly took the keys, opened the flat, entered a bedroom and took Rs 8,000 kept in a safe. They then locked the house and replaced the keys at the same spot.

The owner noticed articles scattered in the bedroom after returning from the temple and found the cash missing. She subsequently lodged a complaint.

“We were confused as the door was locked, the key was placed at the window; how could the cash be stolen, " a police officer from Alwal police on Thursday disclosed.

Police examined the available evidence and identified the two minors as having entered the apartment while the owner was away. Notices were served on their parents, and a case was registered against them under the Juvenile Justice Act, police said.

During questioning, the parents claimed that the children had found `8,000 on a road near the complainant’s house and that they had intended to return the money to police.

Police later questioned neighbours and family members about the children’s home conditions. A woman police officer said they alleged that the children were neglected by their mothers and that their fathers were addicted to alcohol.

“We formally questioned the kids. With tears in their eyes, they said that their parents treated them as orphans. Their mother hardly served them food; they ate only during Anadanam or begged with the neighbours for food and clothing,” she said.

The minors also allegedly admitted to an earlier theft from a neighbour’s house to buy food. Police said they had left about 20 tolas of gold untouched during that incident and had taken only cash.

Police said they were examining the parents’ responsibility for the alleged offences committed by the minors and would seek legal opinion before taking further action.