In a shocking turn of events, a high-profile saree exhibition in Hyderabad turned into the scene of an audacious theft, with designer sarees worth Rs 12 lakh vanishing without a trace. The fashion world is abuzz with the incident, which unfolded at a Women’s Day event in Jubilee Hills, leaving boutique owner Anjana Devi Danda reeling from the loss of some of her most exquisite creations.
Anjana Devi Danda, a prominent fashion entrepreneur based in Bengaluru and the owner of the boutique ‘Anu Six Yards,’ had travelled to Hyderabad to showcase her latest collection of handcrafted designer sarees. The exhibition-cum-live fashion show, held on March 8, 2025, at Dhaara Café and Bistro near Peddamma Temple in Jubilee Hills, was intended to celebrate the spirit of womanhood through the elegance of traditional attire. However, the glamorous event soon took an unexpected turn.
As the exhibition wrapped up around 7 p.m., Anjana and her team began packing up their collection, only to realise that seven luxurious sarees, each worth approximately Rs 2 lakh had gone missing. Panic set in as they scoured the venue, but the prized sarees were nowhere to be found. Suspecting foul play, Anjana promptly approached the café management, requesting access to the security footage.
What the CCTV cameras revealed was nothing short of a cinematic heist. A group of six unidentified women had arrived at the exhibition under the guise of potential customers. Posing as fashion enthusiasts, they meticulously browsed through the saree racks, engaging the staff in conversation while subtly executing their plan. The footage showed the women working in perfect coordination, skillfully distracting the boutique team as they discreetly concealed the expensive sarees in their clothing. The entire operation was executed between 12:40 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., during peak exhibition hours when the crowd made it easier for them to blend in.
Realising the gravity of the situation, Anjana Devi Danda lodged an official complaint with the Jubilee Hills Police on March 10, 2025. A pen drive containing the crucial CCTV footage was submitted as evidence. Following the complaint, Sub-Inspector K. Janaiah registered a case under Sections 318(4) and 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The investigation has since been taken over by Deputy Inspector R. Madhusudhan, who has initiated a probe to track down the culprits.
The fashion fraternity has been left stunned by the incident, with many designers expressing their concerns over security at high-end exhibitions. The audacity and precision of the heist highlight the need for stricter vigilance at fashion events where luxury apparel is displayed. Anjana, while devastated by the loss, remains hopeful that the thieves will be caught and justice will be served.
As the investigation unfolds, this high-fashion theft serves as a cautionary tale, underscoring the importance of tighter security measures in the glamorous yet vulnerable world of designer fashion.
