Overview

• Nine suspects, including the alleged ringleader, were arrested for stealing 940 engines from Kia Motors’ plant in Penugonda, Andhra Pradesh.
• The theft was discovered during an internal audit in March, prompting Kia to file a formal complaint with local police on March 19, 2025.
• The suspects, hailing from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, have been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by the Penukonda court.
• Police revealed that the stolen engines were smuggled and sold across multiple Indian states, exposing a broader illegal distribution network.
• The investigation remains in its early stages, with only ten percent completed, as authorities focus on dismantling the smuggling operation.