Wife to thief: 'I want 3 chains a day'

The wife set the target and chain-snatcher Achyuth Kumar criss-crossed the state to bring home the booty as desired by Mahadevi.

Finally, after seven months and 106 chain-snatching incidents, Achyuth Kumar ran out of luck. And the police were in for a bling shock.

They have recovered stolen jewellery worth Rs 1.05 crore from his house in Kumbalagodu near Kengeri. Mahadevi had, in fact, purchased scales to weigh the ornaments, which she used to melt at home and sell.

The Kengeri police, who nabbed Achyuth, are surprised at this Bunty Aur Babli tale powered solely by a woman's desire for luxury.

Mahadevi's extravagant lifestyle saw her splurging on vanity bags and vacations.

Achyuth Kumar and wife Mahadevi

“She made regular trips to Goa and stayed at resorts. Her travel craze prompted Achyuth to buy two swanky SUVs and five bikes,” said a senior police officer.

Achyuth was caught almost a month ago, but the police were on the lookout for Mahadevi who abetted the crime. After Achyuth’s arrest, Mahadevi disguised herself as a maid and took shelter at an orphanage in Nagamangala taluk of Mandya district. The police traced and arrested her on Monday.

A native of Koliwad in Hubballi, Achyuth Kumar alias Vishwanath Koliwad (31), has committed 106 chain-snatching crimes across the state in seven months.

A small-time thief, Achuyth turned a habitual chain-snatcher after he married Mahadevi. “At the time of marriage, he lied to Mahadevi that he was a realtor. But when she got to know of his criminal background, Mahadevi reportedly told him that she does not care about his profession, but wants to lead a lavish life. In fact, she coaxed him into chain-snatching,” the officer said.

Beginning with one chain a day, Achyuth was soon given a revised target of three by Mahadevi. "Else, she would not allow him to enter the house. The duo used to shift houses often to avoid suspicion by neighbours about their lifestyle,” another police officer who was part of the probe revealed.

Achyuth later spread out to other districts like Davangere, Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, Tumakuru and Bengaluru. The couple had sold gold chains to jewellers in Koppal and Gadag.

Rs 1 lakh reward

Bengaluru City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar announced Rs 1 lakh reward to constable Chandra Kumar of Jnanabharati Police station who chased Achyuth during regular patrol. When Achyuth retaliated, he was shot in the leg.