Online gambling debt drives student to kidnap and rob woman, push her into well

A 21-year-old college student allegedly kidnapped a 55-year-old daily wage labourer, robbed her jewellery and tried to murder her by throwing her into a well after suffering heavy losses in online gambling, police officials said on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Dhamma Dinesh Reddy, a second-year degree student from Jagtial district, allegedly hatched the plot to repay mounting debts after losing nearly Rs 4 lakh on online gambling and colour trading platforms. Police said he had also borrowed money through multiple loan apps and was under intense pressure from creditors.

The case came to light after Gangadhara Laxmi (55), a daily wage worker, was reported missing on July 1. What initially appeared to be a missing person case soon unravelled into a chilling tale of abduction, robbery and an attempted murder.

PLANNED THE CRIME TO REPAY DEBTS

According to Karimnagar Police, Dinesh spent nearly a week conducting reconnaissance at different locations across Karimnagar before allegedly selecting Laxmi as his target.

On July 1, he allegedly approached the woman when she was alone, booked a Rapido bike to transport her towards Thimmapur and later shifted her onto his own motorcycle. He then allegedly took her to agricultural fields near Nusthulapur village, where he assaulted her and robbed her of gold jewellery and 20 grams of silver toe rings.

Police said the accused then allegedly attempted to eliminate the only witness to the crime.

He pushed Laxmi into an agricultural well, believing she would die. When she managed to grab hold of a rope inside the well, he allegedly cut it before fleeing, convinced she would not survive.

However, the victim knew how to swim. Investigators said she managed to cling to another rope tied to a motor pipeline and remained trapped inside the well throughout the night.

The following morning, farmers working in nearby fields heard her cries for help and rescued her using ropes and a cot. She was rushed to the Government General Hospital in Karimnagar, where she underwent treatment.

HOW POLICE CRACKED THE CASE

Karimnagar Police pieced together the case using CCTV footage, mobile phone records and other technical evidence before tracing and arresting the accused in the city's market area.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the crime.

Police recovered the accused's mobile phone, the victim's mobile phone, the motorcycle used in the offence, Rs 5,000 in cash and the victim's silver toe rings.

Investigators also found that the accused had sold the stolen gold ornaments to a jeweller. The ornaments were subsequently recovered.

Police said further investigation is underway and a chargesheet will be filed soon.

Issuing a public advisory, Karimnagar Police warned that online gambling and illegal betting applications can lead to severe financial and psychological distress, sometimes pushing individuals towards serious crimes.