Gold, silver, iPhone: How burqa-clad woman targeted locked houses in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Uppal police and the Central Crime Station (CCS) Uppal team arrested a 25-year-old woman for her alleged involvement in a series of house burglaries and recovered gold and silver ornaments, cash and an iPhone 17 worth approximately Rs 70 lakh.The accused, identified as Paga Jaya, a homemaker and resident of New Bharat Nagar in Uppal, was apprehended near the LB Nagar route bus stop at Uppal X Roads around 8am on October 31, following a tip-off.According to police, the case came to light after Gangam Bhaskar Reddy (55), a resident of New Bharat Nagar, lodged a complaint at Uppal police station on October 27. He told police that he had locked his house and left with his family on October 26 to visit Sri Mallanna Swamy Temple at Komuravelli.The following day, his tenant informed him that the lock on the northern-side door of the house had been broken and the door was open. On inspecting the house, Reddy found that two cupboards in the master bedroom and children's bedroom had also been broken into. Around 48 tulas of gold ornaments, 1.5kg of silver articles and Rs 2 lakh in cash were found missing.Based on the complaint, police registered a case (Crime No. 1579/2026) under Sections 331(4) and 305(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an investigation.During questioning, Jaya allegedly disclosed her involvement in the case and other house burglaries. Police suspect her involvement in five cases registered at Uppal, Medipally, Bhadradri Kothagudem II and Jagathgirigutta police stations.According to the police, the accused identified houses whose occupants were away. She allegedly wore a burqa to conceal her identity and used a hand-cutter machine to break the locks of doors and cupboards before stealing gold and silver ornaments and cash. She allegedly sold or pledged some of the stolen ornaments and used the money for her personal expenses.Police said Jaya was born and brought up in Hamali Colony in Palvancha, Bhadradri Kothagudem district. She reportedly discontinued her first-year BTech studies at Anubose College, Kothagudem, due to financial difficulties. She moved to Hyderabad in 2023 and married Gogulothu Sivakumar in 2024.Police said financial difficulties and a desire to earn money easily allegedly prompted her to plan house burglaries. She was also reportedly involved in an earlier house-burglary case within Uppal police station limits.The case was detected under the supervision of Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B Sumathi, IPS, and the guidance of Uppal DCP (in-charge) B Anuradha, IPS, Crimes DCP K Gunasekhar, IPS, Additional DCP N Venkataramana and Uppal ACP Y Venkat Reddy.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Hyderabad | Silver Rate in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Petrol Price in Hyderabad | Diesel Price in Hyderabad | CNG Price in Hyderabad | LPG Price in HyderabadStay updated with the latest Hyderabad news. Download the TOI App.