Not reporting any crime to the police can cost you dear

Failure of the owners of the property to report any crime to the police for fear of investigation into the sources of money or coming under the scanner of the Income Tax authorities is emboldening criminals to repeatedly indulge in offences.

This fact came to light when the police caught a few Nepali gangs for allegedly committing burglaries at the house of their employers in the city and elsewhere in the country.

“Some of the offenders told us that either they or their colleagues had previously committed similar offences and the property owners did not report the offence to the police. We suspect that the owners might have avoided approaching the police for fear of their wealth becoming public and attracting Income Tax authorities,” said a senior official working with the Hyderabad police. He added that despite them assuring confidentiality the property owners did not come forward to lodge a complaint and in a few instances played it down.

The police explain that after coming to know about employers not preferring to approach the police, the gangs were



getting emboldened and committing offences.

“When we interrogate the suspects they admit their involvement in various crimes and on cross verification, it is found to be true. But on record, there is no case at all at the local police station as the house owner did not come forward and make a complaint,” said the official.

Other crimes are the drivers or employees fleeing away with a huge amount of cash wherein the police found those involved had previously also done so. “Usually the cash transactions are done as against bank transfers to avoid the Income Tax Department audit, so if a complaint is made then it could attract the department investigation. So the realtor or businessmen prefer other routes to recover the money or simply treat it as bad luck and forget it,” said another police official.

It’s hawala transactions, illegal gambling rackets and trades on which the criminals thrive by looting the money. “Due to such attitude of the owners of the property, the criminals get emboldened and pose threat to society,” the official remarked.