In a startling discovery during routine cordon-and-search operations in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, police officials were left stunned when they uncovered a massive cache of valuables worth approximately ₹1.5 crore from the residence of an elderly woman. The operation, conducted in Mahendra Colony, Balajiraopeta, led to the recovery of 15 kilograms of silver, 700 grams of gold ornaments, and ₹5.5 lakh in cash.
Unusual Find at Elderly Couple's Home
The police team, conducting their search, expected routine findings but were taken aback by the sheer volume of precious metals and cash discovered at the house of Peruboina Guravamma, a woman in her late 50s who lived with her husband. It was highly unusual to encounter such a substantial stash of valuables in the home of an elderly couple, prompting immediate questions about the source and ownership of the assets.
When questioned by the police personnel, Guravamma explained that the valuables did not belong to her but were placed in her custody by her son-in-law for safekeeping. "The old lady told us that the items belonged to her son-in-law, who kept them in her safe custody," stated Tenali Sub-Divisional Police Officer D Janaradhan Rao in his account of the incident.
Verification Leads to Businessman Son-in-Law
To verify the elderly woman's claims, police authorities contacted her son-in-law, who resides in Vijayawada. The businessman informed investigators that he operates multiple enterprises, including ventures in the automotive and real estate sectors, and also owns a chocolate factory. He claimed that the gold and silver ornaments were purchased using savings accumulated over the past fifteen years from his business earnings.
The son-in-law maintained that he had chosen his mother-in-law's house as a secure location to store these valuables, considering it a safe custody arrangement away from his primary residence.
Lack of Documentation and IT Department Involvement
However, the preliminary enquiry conducted by the police department revealed a significant issue: the gold and silver valuables purchased by the businessman lacked valid transaction bills or proper documentation. This absence of paperwork raised concerns about the legitimacy of the acquisitions and compliance with financial regulations.
Consequently, the seized valuables—comprising the substantial quantities of gold, silver, and cash—were formally submitted to the Income Tax Department for further investigation. The Income Tax authorities are expected to conduct their own detailed enquiry and take appropriate action based on their findings, which may include verification of the source of funds and potential tax implications.
Broader Implications and Police Procedures
This incident highlights several important aspects of law enforcement and financial oversight:
- The effectiveness of cordon-and-search operations in uncovering unexpected assets
- The importance of verifying ownership claims through systematic investigation
- The role of documentation in establishing the legitimacy of high-value transactions
- Inter-agency cooperation between police and tax authorities in handling such cases
The case serves as a reminder that even seemingly routine police operations can lead to significant discoveries with potential legal and financial consequences. The involvement of the Income Tax Department underscores the need for proper financial documentation when dealing with substantial assets.
