Hyderabad Nizam Museum theft case: Hyderabad police recover antique items, arrest two Persons

Fifteen special teams were formed as part of the probe to detect the theft that took place at the third gallery of the museum at Purani Haveli in Hyderabad on 

Hyderabad police on Tuesday announced that they have cracked the case of theft inside the Nizam Museum by producing two childhood friends Muhammad Ghouse Pasha and Muhammad Mubeen as the accused who carried out the heist.

“All the stolen objects have been recovered intact and will be returned to the museum in due course,” said Anjani Kumar, Commissioner of Police in Hyderabad.

The theft at the Nizam Museum in Purani Haveli area in Hyderabad was discovered on September 3 morning when the staff discovered a one-foot high golden food box encrusted with diamonds and rubies missing. A golden spoon, two cups and saucers were also found missing.

“Human intelligence gave us the breakthrough, though the thieves tried to mislead the police by laying down fake clues. The thieves tried to sell the booty in Mumbai but could not succeed. When they returned to Hyderabad, we were able to nab them,” he added.

The thieves are suspected to have used a rope to enter the museum through the ventilator and left a clue in the form of a masonry mark. “The mark was used to measure the rope and that proved to be an important clue,” said Mr. Kumar.

Nawab Najaf Ali Khan, grandson of Nizam VII of Hyderabad and president of the Nizam Family Welfare Association had last week written a letter to Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar and requested for taking utmost priority to recover the objects of historical importance.

He also questioned the security arrangements at the museum.

“There is a big question mark on the management running this museum as it due to their negligence and poor security arrangements gave easy access to the thieves.”

The museum has various precious items of Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur Nizam VII, he said, adding “souvenirs, gifts presented by other rulers, presented to him by dignitaries and many more priceless items are placed at the museum”.

A lot of the objects on display are also from the seventh Nizam’s personal collection that are carved intricately with diamonds and rubies studded in gold and silver.

The museum also features the massive wardrobe of the sixth Nizam measuring several metres, a 150-year old manually operated lift, and 200-year old proclamation drums, Mr. Khan added.

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