Lodge staff at Bhadrachalam extort lovers by recording intimate moments, case booked

A blackmail racket was exposed in Bhadrachalam after lodge staff allegedly filmed a couple without consent and extorted Rs 60,000. The 19-year-old victim filed a police complaint, leading to an FIR under BNS and IT Act sections

Kothagudem: A blackmail and extortion racket was uncovered in the temple town of Bhadrachalam, where the staff of a lodge allegedly recorded a couple’s private moments without consent and demanded money from them.

The incident, which occurred on April 16, came to light on Tuesday after 19-year-old Mohammed Harshad, a polytechnic student from Gollabazaar in Bhadrachalam, lodged a complaint with the local police.

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According to the FIR, Harshad and his partner stayed in Room No. 206 of Sri Raghuram Residency after visiting the Ramalayam. During their stay, a hotel staff member allegedly recorded videos and took photographs of their intimate moments without their knowledge.

The accused then threatened Harshad that the content would be leaked on social media unless he paid the demanded amount. Under pressure and emotional distress, Harshad paid Rs 60,000 to the accused.

He suspects that the videos may have been recorded by the hotel manager, Suragam Bhargav, with assistance from lodge owner Padala Venkatarami Reddy.

Based on Harshad’s complaint, Bhadrachalam Inspector of Police M Nagaraju registered an FIR against the accused under Sections 77 (voyeurism), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), and 308(2) (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 66(E) of the IT Act. A probe is underway.