Hyderabad: The Commissioner’s Task Force, South East Zone team, and Chatrinaka Police have successfully apprehended an individual operating as a fake astrologer, exploiting innocent people under the pretext of astrology and black magic to extort money.
On January 12, 2024, the joint efforts of Commissioner’s Task Force, South-East Zone team, and Chatrinaka Police led to the arrest of Sirigiri Manjunatha Brammam alias Koya Raju alias Arjun Raju alias Manju. The accused, identified as Sirigiri Manjunatha alias Brammam Koya Raju alias Arjun Raju Manju, a 38-year-old resident of Warangal engaged in astrology, was found to be cheating the public and extracting substantial sums of money by claiming expertise in Astrology/Black Magic. The authorities seized a net cash amounting to Rs. 14,65,000, a mobile phone, credit cards (01), and debit cards (02) from various banks, along with other materials used for performing black magic, in the possession of the accused.
The case originated from a complaint lodged on January 10, 2024, by Mr. Kandhadi Srikanth Reddy. In his complaint, he detailed the chronic health issues his mother faced, leading him to approach the accused after seeing an advertisement on a local channel. Subsequently, the accused, posing as Manjunath from “DURGA DEVI JYOTHISHYALAYAM,” convinced the complainant that they were suffering from Naradosham and exploited the situation to extract Rs. 2,00,000 in cash. Over time, the complainant paid a total of Rs. 17,00,000 to the fake astrologer for promised remedies. The case was registered under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act 1954.
Upon receiving the complaint, the Commissioner’s Task Force, South-East Zone team, and Chatrinaka Police swiftly acted, apprehending Sirigiri Manjunatha Brammam Koya Raju Arjun Raju Manju on January 12, 2024, at MGBS. Investigations revealed that the accused, facing financial difficulties, strategically exploited people’s vulnerabilities by advertising as DURGA DEVI JYOTHISHYALAYAM and SAMMAKKA SARALAMMA JYOTHISHYALAYAM on local channels. The public is urged not to fall prey to such fraudulent schemes, and if any suspicious activity is observed, they are advised to promptly inform the nearest police station. The arrest was conducted under the supervision of Mr. A.V.R. Narasimha Rao, Addl. DCP, Task Force, along with other law enforcement officials.
Our Citizen Reporter – Telangana
Mr. Bharath Reddy
