Pune invokes Sec 144 against extortion by transgender persons; Telangana takes note

Hyderabad: Pune Police, in a proactive move, has invoked Section 144 of the CRPC to address the issue of transgender persons and beggars engaging in forceful solicitation of money, especially at traffic signals.

The order, aimed at curbing the public nuisance, prohibits uninvited visits and lays out penalties for violations.

Commissioner Amitesh Kumar’s recent statement underscored the gravity of the situation and the imperative for stringent law enforcement measures. He signed a prohibitory order under CRPC Section 144 and issued in particular against transgender persons. As per the order, transgender persons are prohibited from ‘moving around the city and visiting places for ceremonies and rituals without being invited’ and also prohibited them from ‘gathering at traffic junctions asking money from the passersby.’

Following Pune’s lead in tackling the menace of extortion by transgender persons and beggars, the streets of Telangana find themselves grappling with a similar challenge.

In recent times, reports have emerged of extortion gangs, predominantly comprising transgender persons and beggars, exploiting private ceremonies and events for monetary gain, leaving citizens perturbed and clamouring for decisive action.

Extortion at private events

Eyewitness accounts reveal a disturbing pattern in the modus operandi of these gangs.

They meticulously gather information on upcoming functions at public venues, such as halls and tent houses, often relying on informers like auto drivers and tent house owners. Armed with this knowledge, they brazenly gatecrash events, demanding exorbitant sums of money from the hosts to avoid causing embarrassment. The threat of public humiliation looms large, with the gangs fixating on amounts as high as Rs 1 lakh, coercing hosts into compliance.

Citizens speak out

Residents of Hyderabad and Cyberabad are voicing their discontent, urging the government to emulate the actions taken by Pune police to address this pressing issue.

Expressing their concerns, Amit Bansal a citizen from Hyderabad, stated, “These extortion tactics have become a recurring nightmare for residents, tarnishing the sanctity of private events and causing undue distress. Telangana government needs to take a similar step like that of Pune to stop this extortion racket completely.”

Another resident, Deepti Saxena echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the need for decisive action, “The brazenness of these gangs is alarming. Despite repeated calls to the authorities, they continue to operate with impunity, leaving citizens feeling vulnerable and helpless.”

“As the outcry for intervention grows louder, it is evident that the issue of transgender persons and beggar extortion demands urgent attention. The authorities must heed the concerns of the citizens and take decisive steps to quell this menace. Failure to act swiftly risks emboldening these extortion gangs further, perpetuating a cycle of fear and exploitation on the streets of Telangana,” said Venkat Naidu, another concerned citizen.