Four constables, ex-cop held for robbery

Four constables and a former policeman from Telangana were arrested today for allegedly robbing a financier of a precious stone among other items.
Osmania University (OU) Police arrested Constables D Balu Naik, K Rajugopal, M Srinu Naik and Y Raju - attached to different wings in Hyderabad and Nalgonda district of Telangana, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Zone) V Ravinder said.
The fifth accused was identified as C Venkata Rajam, a constable who has been dismissed from service, he said.
The five accused along with one Kareem, an advocate who is absconding, robbed the 'Chintamani' stone, among other items, from a financier, Ram Reddy, on May 16 after overpowering him at OU campus, he said.

The stone, considered a "wish-fulfilling" gem of extraordinary power in Hindu mythology, originally belonged to one K Rama Krishna, a resident of West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh.
Krishna, a businessman, used to avail loans from financier Ram Reddy and both subsequently became good friends.

However, after Krishna incurred losses in his business he decided to sell the stone to raise some money, police said.
He gave the task of selling the stone to Reddy, who promised him to sell it for Rs 25 lakh. The financier, in turn, roped in Kareem for the task, police said.
However, the five accused snatched the stone from Reddy and subsequently a police complaint was filed, he said.

The Chintamani stone has been recovered and efforts are on to arrest the absconding accused Kareem, the police officer added.