Bangalore Baffles: Thousand Crore Hair Hack: ‘Black Gold’ Stolen in Bungling Break-In
Rs 1 Crore-worth of Hair Stolen from Bangalore Godown in Pre-Dawn Robbery
A bizarre robbery has shaken the hair trade in Bangalore, with a gang of six thieves making off with 830 kg of human hair worth nearly Rs 1 crore from a godown in the city’s Lakshmipura Cross area. The theft, which took place in the early hours of February 28, has left the hair trade reeling.
According to the police, Venkataswamy K, a 73-year-old hair trader, had shifted his stock to the godown in the basement of a commercial building on February 12. The godown housed 27 bags of processed hair, which was meant for export to Myanmar and eventually China, where it would be processed into wigs and hair extensions. At around 1:00 am, a gang of six arrived at the godown in a Mahindra Bolero SUV, allegedly breaking open the shutter with iron rods and loading the hair into their vehicle before fleeing.
However, a passerby noticed strands of hair scattered on the road and, sensing something was amiss, alerted the police helpline. The police rushed to the scene, and a patrol team arrived at the godown, finding the shutter half-open. They informed other shop owners in the building, and by 1:50 am, Venkataswamy had been alerted to the theft.
The stolen hair is reportedly worth around Rs 1 crore, making it one of the most valuable hair heists in recent Indian history. Venkataswamy, who supplies hair to a Hyderabad-based exporter, believes that someone in the trade may be behind the theft. The hair industry has come under scrutiny in recent years, with both India and China being major players in the global wig market. India is known for its high-quality hair, which is sought after for its durability and softness.
The police have registered a case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 305 and 331, making it clear that the investigation is still underway. While the CCTV footage from nearby buildings captured the robbers and their SUV, the registration number was not visible, making it challenging to identify them. The police are working to enhance the footage to aid in their investigation. The theft has sent shockwaves through the hair trade, leaving many wondering if this is a targeted attack on a growing industry worth millions. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen if the stolen hair will ever be recovered, or if the perpetrators will be brought to book.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/black-gold-heist-human-hair-stolen-bengaluru-godown-9871587/
Category : Bangalore,Cities
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Publish Date: 2025-03-06 12:39:00