Police arrested Annapu Reddy Durga Ramana Reddy, 23, and his girlfriend Tenka Varalaxmi, 24, near a jewellery shop in Kamala Nagar, Vanasthalipuram, after they snatched a 30‑gram gold chain from 65‑year‑old temple worker Andugula Ramulamma at the Raja Rajeshwari Temple in Venkata Ramana Colony at 6:04 am on Oct 18. The duo had moved from Andhra Pradesh about a month earlier, hoping to find work in Hyderabad, but local job centres reported no offers, pushing them toward crime to finance their wedding.
CCTV footage shows the couple holding Ramulamma, covering her mouth, and forcibly removing the chain while a third camera records them fleeing on an Activa scooter. Investigators traced the footage across three locations before detaining the suspects.
Police recovered the stolen ornament and two mobile phones. Both accused, first‑time offenders with no prior convictions, were remanded to judicial custody. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday, and the court will decide whether to issue a bail or keep them in custody pending further investigation.
In the aftermath, Ramulamma, who had been cleaning the temple, expressed shock and fear, while a nearby devotee recalled seeing the couple’s hurried escape. The incident has sparked a debate over joblessness among youth in Hyderabad and the lengths they may go to secure a marriage.
Law enforcement officials say the case underscores the need for stricter surveillance in temple precincts. The Vanasthalipuram Police Commissioner Ramu added that the recovered chain will be displayed in a police museum to deter future thefts.
The couple’s arrest has prompted local NGOs to call for a review of unemployment schemes for young migrants in the city. Meanwhile, the court is expected to rule on bail applications within the next week, potentially setting a precedent for similar cases involving financial desperation.