Hyderabad: Secunderabad GRP RPF arrest man linked to betting in two railway chain-snatching cases, recovering 77 grams of gold valued at ₹7.7 lakh. Police identified the accused as 23-year-old Koruprolu Lavaraju of Suraram, Jeedimetla, wanted for thefts within the Secunderabad Railway Police Station limits.
Lavaraju hails from Sankhavaram mandal in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada district. He worked as a junior chemist at Hetero Lab Ltd. in Khazipally, earning ₹23,000 a month. Investigators said he developed dependencies on alcohol, cigarettes, and online betting particularly on the “Wolf 777” gaming platform and committed thefts to sustain these habits.
Officials said he targeted crowded trains at Secunderabad station. On 26 February 2025, he snatched a gold chain from a passenger on the Simhapuri Express. On 2 August, he struck again on the Gowthami Express. Of the three stolen chains, he sold two to unidentified buyers and pledged the third at a Muthoot Fincorp branch in Suraram. Authorities allege he spent all the proceeds on betting.
Acting on a tip-off, GRP and RPF teams intercepted him at 7 a.m. on 11 August outside Secunderabad station. He confessed to both crimes Cr.No.255/2025 and Cr.No.428/2025 registered under Section 304(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The operation was led by SHO B. Saieashwar Goud and IRP S.V. Subba Reddy, working alongside RPF Inspector Bhavani Shankar Saraswat’s team. Superintendent of Railway Police Chandana Deepti, IPS, and DSRP S.N. Jawed oversaw the operation. IGP (Railway and Road Safety) K. Ramesh Naidu, IPS, praised the officers and announced rewards for the team.
