Two Arrested for Chain Snatching and Fake Currency Racket in Anantapur

Speedy Summary

• Anantapur police arrested two inter-state chain snatchers involved in printing and circulating counterfeit currency.
• Seized items include gold ornaments (304 grams worth ₹35 lakh), ₹35,500 cash, fake ₹500 notes, a printer, and two motorcycles.
• the accused were identified as M. Jashwanth alias Raju alias Gundu and Kambadur Bhogam Raju alias Shalem Raju from Andhra Pradesh’s Kambadur mandal headquarters.
• Police revealed their criminal history: 12 chain-snatching incidents over two years across multiple districts (Anantapur, Kadapa). Investigations recovered all stolen property.
• Both men resorted to illegal activities due to debt from gambling and cricket betting addictions.Thay targeted women in remote areas with minimal public movement.
• A color printer was used by the duo for counterfeiting ₹500 notes on notebook sheets for circulation.
• Jashwanth has prior convictions in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka tied to thefts, burglaries, robberies, and other crimes.

Indian Opinion Analysis
this case reflects not only the dangers posed by habitual offenders but also highlights broader socioeconomic concerns such as addiction-driven crime rooted in financial distress from gambling habits. While law enforcement resolving such cases adds a measure of security to rural areas vulnerable due to isolation, it raises questions about preventive strategies for dealing with economic pressures that lead individuals toward criminal behavior. Coordinated efforts between states could improve tracking repeat offenders like these across borders more efficiently while providing rehabilitation avenues for debt-triggered crimes-a critical long-term solution deserving policy attention.

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