Anantapur: Honey-trap gangs targeting retired employees, priests and wealthy persons in Anantapur allegedly operated with police support, probe revealed.
The racket came to light after a complaint was lodged on April 18 by a youth, who alleged that he was lured to a house on false pretences, assaulted, stripped and blackmailed with obscene photographs. Fearing social stigma, the victim reportedly paid around Rs 4 lakh to the gang.
Police sources said two inspectors and more than a dozen personnel, including sub-inspectors and constables, were suspected to have links with the extortion network. Rapthadu inspector Sri Harsha and Three Town inspector Rajendranath Yadav were reportedly sent to VR as part of disciplinary action. More policemen were said to be under scrutiny.
Anantapur superintendent of police P. Jagadeesh took a serious view of a complaint by a surveyor from Garladinne, who was allegedly trapped and extorted by a gang led by Rangamma alias Chinni, who was previously accused in a similar case in Tirupati.
Police arrested five members of the gang involved in the racket operating in rural parts of the district. Cash, weapons and promissory notes were seized from them. Officials said more than 100 persons were believed to have been targeted, while around 20 victims had so far come forward.
Investigators alleged that the Rapthadu inspector had supported the gang in extorting money through promissory notes signed by victims. In one case, a priest from Rapthadu mandal was allegedly extorted and assaulted, resulting in injuries to his hand.
The SP has constituted a Special Investigation Team to submit a detailed report, including the alleged role of police personnel. Phone conversations purportedly between gang members and some policemen have gone viral on social media.
Anantapur rural DSP Srinivasulu said the gang had targeted at least 20 victims in recent months and extorted nearly Rs 1 crore. Police have so far seized around Rs 13 lakh in cash, knives and documents, including promissory notes.
Officials said the gang functioned in an organised manner, assigning specific roles such as identifying targets, executing traps and collecting money.
Police are also investigating the alleged role of former panchayat vice-president Narendra Reddy of YSRC.
Further investigation is under way.