"extortion"

Sircilla police arrested Dubba Madhu, a member of an extortion gang operating in the name of the banned extremist group Janashakthi. Four members had already been arrested earlier this month.

Police arrested an RTI activist from Mumbai for allegedly blackmailing an MP from Andhra Pradesh’s West Godavari district and attempting to extort Rs 5 crore by threatening to share sensitive information obtained through RTI applications

AICC Secretary and former MLA SA Sampath Kumar refuted allegations of harassment and extortion after Shree Bhramara Infrastructures Private Limited lodged a complaint against his associates in Jogulamba Gadwal district.

Police in Adilabad arrested two VDC members and booked others in separate cases for allegedly extorting money from belt shop operators. Authorities warned of strict action against those permitting illegal liquor trade under the guise of development activities.

Tolichowki police arrested five persons for allegedly extorting Rs 46,000 from a software employee, Junaid, in Akbarpura. Police said the suspects cornered him when he visited a friend’s apartment to collect a laptop, threatened him, and forced him to pay.

Kachiguda police arrested a man who posed as a TSRTC vigilance officer and extorted money from bus conductors. The accused filmed conductors at halting points and later threatened them over phone calls, police said.

A vernacular journalist in Paloncha, Kothagudem district, has been booked for allegedly extorting a local businessman. The complainant, Nalla Suresh Reddy, accused the reporter of publishing false news to damage his reputation and demanding large sums of money under threats.

Hyderabad police detained two men for using AI tools in a criminal conspiracy involving harassment, stalking and extortion. The accused targeted a woman and her daughter, fabricated audio clips and circulated them online to defame BJYM leader PM Sai Prasad.

Seven accused persons, including Constable Sandeep and rowdy-sheeter Rohit Shinde were still at large.

A five-member gang from Nalgonda posing as police was arrested in Adilabad for extorting jewellery traders. The group used the identity of a Sub-Inspector to threaten victims and operated across multiple States. Gold, silver, and vehicles were seized from them

Peel Regional Police (PRP) Chief Nishan Duraiappah said the gang's actions escalated to "drive-by shootings, arsons, a variety of acts of violence".

He was also booked for celebrating his birthday in public spaces and threatening to kill a cattle trader in Mavala

Mahendra Vardhan, a resident of Banjara Hills, came in contact with the woman on Facebook three years ago. After a few weeks of chatting, they exchanged phone numbers and stayed in regular contact.

Gavande Bipin Kumar and Mesram Anand Rao held for extorting and blackmailing non-tribals using loopholes in the SC, ST Prevention of Atrocities Act

A few persons had received messages through a whatsapp number and emails asking them to pay some money else face raids by different departments.

The duo, accustomed to a lavish life, were threatening businessmen in Gundala and Allapalli mandals for the past three months, demanding money for the Maoist party fund

Crime briefs from Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana

The "extortion" took place under the guise of vigilance inspections during the tenure of former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy

Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud alleged he was put under life threat, torture, and interference made in his personnel life through illegal surveillance by some persons working in conspiracy

Unga and Sukki left the Maoist party and surrendered before the police, realising that Maoists lost the tribal's support