Jaiswals of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

Deccan Chronicle reported that more and more students in the Hyderabad are taking to a life of crime to enjoy a lavish lifestyle. The pocket money they get from their parents is not enough for hi-fi parties, costly clothing and stylish bikes. So they adopt the dangerous but tempting route of crime chain-snatching, theft of mobile phones and stealing of vehicles. Police records show that youths from well-to-do families are increasingly being caught committing crimes in the Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Recently, the Banjara Hills police arrested six students, aged between 19 and 22, who had entered the world of crime to live a hip life. Among those arrested were students of professional colleges. Their tactic was to waylay women pedestrians in secluded areas and snatch their chains and mangalsutras. After stealing valuables and selling them, the youth would splurge the money on expensive meals, liquor, fashionable clothes and accessories. The desire to have more from life is pushing them to crime, said a police officer. The arrested youth confessed that they spend the money to take girlfriends to expensive hotels and restaurants for dining, and to buy them costly gifts.

In 2007, the city police arrested nearly 2,000 students, aged between 17 and 25, on charges of chain-snatching, mobile phone theft and vehicle theft. Of them 50 were caught from within the SR Nagar police station limits. This year, more than 900 students have been arrested. Most of the youngsters select isolated areas and residential colonies to commit crimes. Their favourite spots are Banjara Hills, SR Nagar, Malakpet, Dilsuknagar, LB Nagar, Langar Houz, Sanathnagar, Asifnagar, Kukatpally, Narayanaguda, Chikkadapally and Jubilee Hills. They choose these areas because they can easily escape after committing the offense.