Karimnagar police bust gang of self-styled godmen, recover Rs 15.30 lakh

According to the police officer, the victim, Gajji Praveen, a resident of Sriramulapalli, was in trouble and his parents were suffering from health problems.The gang took advantage of his situation and looted him.

Karimnagar: Karimnagar rural police have arrested a five member gang for cheating the innocent people under the guise of performing pujas.

Disguised in swamyjis attire, the gang extorted Rs 15.30 lakh from a victim, claiming it was necessary to hold rituals. Authorities recovered Rs 15.30 lakh in cash, gold ornaments, three cars and seven mobile phones from the accused.

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Karimnagar rural ASP Shubam Prakash produced the accused before the media at his office here on Friday and explained the modus operandi of the gang. The arrested individuals have been identified as Ernala Raju of Chandragiri, Miriyala Durgaiah of Agraharam while three others, Penugonda Raju, Challa Ajay and Ernala Sathish, belong to Cheerlavancha.

According to the police officer, the victim, Gajji Praveen, a resident of Sriramulapalli of Kothapalli police station limits, was in trouble and his parents were suffering from health problems.

Taking advantage of his situation, the gang members approached Praveen two weeks ago, dressed as Swamijis and promised to solve his problems by performing special pujas. They claimed that a gold rod was buried near his house and convinced him to allow them to unearth it by performing pujas. They also warned him that if it is left as is, his father would die within a month.

To perform pujas, the accused collected Rs 15.30 lakh from Praveen in three phases. In the name of performing pujas, they dug a pit and sprinkled vermillion and turmeric on the ground and retrieved a box claiming it is made of gold.

They then asked Praveen to place the box in his puja room. Later, the gang demanded additional money, threatening to kill his father and bury him in the pit if he failed to comply. Frightened by their warning, the victim arranged money by borrowing it from neighbors.

Upon realising that he was deceived by the gang, Praveen lodged a complaint with police. Based on the complaint, the police launched an investigation after registering a case and arrested the accused at Chinthakunta cross road on Friday.