A Kerala businessman was seriously injured and robbed of ₹6 lakh in a brazen early-morning armed robbery near a busy ATM centre in Koti, Hyderabad on Saturday, raising concerns about urban safety and organised crime.
The victim, Rinshad P. V. (26), a clothes merchant originally from Kozhikode, Kerala, had travelled to Hyderabad earlier in January to purchase wholesale children’s readymade clothing stock at Dewan Devdi. When the planned purchase fell through, his cousin advised him to deposit the ₹6 lakh cash he was carrying into his bank account.
At around 7 a.m. on Saturday, Rinshad reached the State Bank of India’s main branch ATM on Bank Street, Koti, riding a two-wheeler belonging to a friend. As he prepared to deposit the money, two unidentified assailants approached him from behind, pointed a firearm at him and fired two shots. One bullet struck Rinshad’s right leg, causing a bleeding injury, before the suspects snatched his cash bag and the vehicle keys.
After seizing the money, the robbers fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle, driving toward the Chaderghat signal and then to Nimboliadda in the Kachiguda area, where they abandoned the vehicle, changed clothes and escaped on foot toward Kachiguda Cross Roads, police said.
Rinshad was admitted to a local hospital for treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.
The Hyderabad City Police, led by Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar, have launched a major investigation, forming special crime teams to analyse CCTV footage, track technical evidence and coordinate with neighbouring jurisdictions to locate and apprehend the suspects. A formal case has been registered at Sultan Bazar Police Station under sections including attempt to murder and robbery, alongside weapons charges.
Authorities have appealed for public cooperation, urging anyone with information to contact police, with assurances that informants’ identities will be protected.
News as reported
