‘Snake gang’ charmed even cops

• Gang even filmed some of the kangaroo court sessions
• Six more gangs still on the prowl
• Gangs have political connections
• Apart from snakes, gang used horses to roam around creating havoc

Hyderabad: Annoying reports are emerging on the nefarious activities of the notorious ‘snake gang’ following the arrests of Dayyani brothers and other gang members. After detailed investigation by the police, it now appears that the ‘snake gang’ not only threatened and looted innocent people but also used their clout to ‘charm’ the police by bribing to destroy evidence.

The arrests of the gang came after a long and arduous investigation, coordinating with locals, crime staff and senior cops. But what is more appalling is the failure of police in ‘defanging’ the gang led by Faisal Dayyani, the ‘snake charmer’ who targeted around 36 women for rape since 2011. It is learnt that at least six snake gangs are still on the prowl and with the arrest of Dayyani brothers and seizure of SIM cards and memory cards, they are more scared and nervously waiting for the arrested members' revelations.

Sources said the gang even held kangaroo courts to settle land disputes. The kingpin of the gang, who is said to have the backing of some political leaders, even filmed some of the court sessions which they held.

The Pahadisharif SHO and sub-inspector have come in for severe criticism not only for their mishandling of the prospects but also for their alleged fiasco to prevent the incidents of crime against women further.

With the suspension of circle inspector of Pahadisharif, D Bhaskar Reddy and sub-inspector Veera Prasad, it has been proved and understood that the gang operated right under the nose of the police and they were hand in glove with them. “Numerous complaints came into light against Pahadishareef inspector for allegedly indulging in settling civil disputes too,” a senior investigating officer said.

The trust on police is very low in our country and it is further eroded by instances where the police appear to deliberately victimise rape survivors in collusion with the sexual predators. And then there is India's tardy legal system where even high-profile cases can be stuck for decades and if police colludes with the perpetrators the chances of justice to victims appear bleak.

After the recent cordon and search operation in Pahadisharif and followed investigations, more skeletons started tumbling out of the closet of how the criminal gangs seize control of political power and the entire zone became machinery for organised crimes, especially rape, molestation and trafficking. Animals seem to be their ‘weapon’ of crime. Venomous snakes were used for threatening while horses were used for roaming. They used mounted horses to terrorise residents giving a feeling of ‘Chambal dacoits’ in the areas of Jallipally, Erragunta, Katedan and other areas. Police who booked a case against a journalist for sharing a video using his Whatsapp account are yet to take action against two big TV channels for airing it during their news bulletins.

“We have booked a case under Section 66A and 67A of the IT Act. We are investigating the involvement of two other channels,” Additional DCP (Crime) G Janaki Sharmila said.