A shocking theft case has come to light from Bengaluru where a gang stole 830 kg of human hair worth nearly Rs 1 crore from a godown in Lakshmipura Cross, north Bengaluru. The police have launched a manhunt for the culprits.
Venkataswamy K (73), a hair trader from north Bengaluru, had recently shifted his godown from Hebbal to Lakshmipura Cross on February 12. He has filed a complaint with Soladevanahalli police. According to his complaint, around 27 bags of processed hair weighing around 830 kg were stored in the godown located in the basement of a commercial building.
Past midnight on February 28, a gang of about six miscreants arrived at the godown in a Mahindra Bolero SUV. Using iron rods, they broke open the shutter, carried the bags outside, loaded them into their vehicle, and sped away.
A local resident who witnessed the gang loading the bags overheard them speaking in Telugu. He assumed that they were the owners so he went inside his house. However, suspicion grew when a passerby noticed hair scattered on the road. He soon alerted the police by calling helpline 112. A Hoysala patrol team arrived at the scene which found the godown’s shutter half-open, and informed nearby shop owners. The information reached Venkataswamy at 1:50 am.
“I rushed to the spot and found the godown completely empty. The stolen hair had already been checked and marked by the buyer,” said Venkataswamy. Hair traders estimate the stolen consignment’s market value at Rs 1 crore.
From Andhra Pradesh to China
As per the supply chain, Venkataswamy supplies hair to a Hyderabad businessman, who exports it to Burma. From there on it reaches China. After receiving an advance, he and his family travel across Andhra Pradesh, including Kadapa and Srikakulam to purchase hair from local collectors.
India is known for high-quality hair and thus attract significant global demand. Collectors purchase hair from individuals for Rs 1,000-2,000 per kg and sell it to agents. These agents then supply traders like Venkataswamy. Indian hair is cheaper than its international counterparts, making it a preferred choice for wig manufacturers in Burma and China.
Lakshmipura, a locality between Hesaraghatta and Yelahanka, hosts numerous hair traders. Venkataswamy suspects an insider may have tipped off the gang about the godown’s contents.
CCTV footage from nearby buildings captured the culprits and the SUV, but poor image quality and the absence of a clear registration number hinder identification. A police officer stated that a case has been registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 305 (theft in a dwelling house or place of worship) and 331 (house-trespass or housebreaking). Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspects.