Jeedimetla: Two held for posing as Naxalites to extort Rs 50 lakh from businessman

Hyderabad: The Jeedimetla Police have arrested two individuals who posed as Naxalites to extort Rs 50 lakh from a local businessman. The accused is said to have confessed to planning to plant bombs in the complainant’s home to increase pressure.

The accused, identified as Yerramsetty Raju (33) and Kandurelli Raju (24), were taken into custody from the HMT forest area on Tuesday morning. Police seized 13 country-made bombs, a threatening letter and four mobile phones from their possession.

Case unfolds with a threatening letter and a red cloth

Disclosing the case details, ACP Naresh Reddy said that the investigation began on May 22, when complainant Kuna Raghavender Goud reported that his father had discovered a threatening letter and red cloth placed on their car near a damaged Tulasi plant outside their home.

The letter, allegedly from ‘Naxalites,’ demanded Rs 50 lakh and threatened dire consequences if their demand was not met, he added.

Background and criminal history

One of the accused, Yerramsetty Raju (A-1), has a previous criminal record involving property offences registered at the Gannavaram Police Station in Andhra Pradesh, the ACP said.

Police surveillance revealed the accused’s movements

Treating the case with high priority, police teams scanned footage from over 500 CCTV cameras and tracked suspicious activity around the area. Surveillance revealed two young men approaching the complainant’s home, raising suspicions. Acting on credible information, police traced the accused to the HMT Jungle and arrested them on May 28.

Accused planned to plant bombs

During interrogation, the accused admitted they had faked their Naxalite identity to intimidate and extort the businessman. Facing severe financial distress, both men—natives of Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, and temporary residents of Shapur Nagar—devised the plan after losing their jobs.

According to police, the accused initially dropped a letter to coerce the victim. When that failed, they allegedly travelled to Vizianagaram, where they assembled improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Upon returning to Hyderabad, they intended to plant the bombs at the complainant’s residence to intensify pressure, the ACP said.