Hyderabad Police Launch Criminal Probe Into Alleged ₹3 Crore PIL Extortion Scheme
What originated as a legal proceeding in the Telangana High Court has escalated dramatically into a full-fledged criminal investigation. The Banjara Hills police station has officially registered a case involving serious charges of extortion and criminal intimidation, centering on an alleged demand for ₹3 crore to withdraw a public interest litigation (PIL).
Complaint Details and Allegations
The case was initiated based on a formal complaint filed by K Venkateshwar Rao, who is the son of former Rajya Sabha member K Keshava Rao. According to the complaint, the accused individuals sought this substantial sum of money in exchange for withdrawing a PIL that was pending before the Telangana High Court. Rao, a resident of Road No. 12 in the upscale Banjara Hills locality, provided detailed allegations to the authorities.
The core of the dispute involves a writ petition filed in 2024 by one of the accused, identified as Gadeela Raghuveer Reddy from Kondapaka in Siddipet district. This petition challenged the regularization of Rao's 1,000 square yard house and an adjacent 425 square yard plot owned by his sister, Kavitha Rao. Following the High Court's issuance of notices to Rao concerning this PIL on July 23, 2024, the situation took a troubling turn.
Pattern of Pressure and Threats
Rao informed the police that Raghuveer began contacting him repeatedly through multiple mobile numbers. The accused allegedly shared screenshots of newspaper reports related to the PIL and subtly suggested that the petition could be withdrawn for a financial consideration. This alleged pressure campaign intensified significantly during the months of December and January.
Specific incidents cited in the complaint include:
- On December 15, 2025, Raghuveer made four consecutive WhatsApp calls to Rao
- Through messages sent on January 6, the accused threatened to file additional writ petitions if the monetary demand was not fulfilled
- Raghuveer allegedly demanded ₹3 crore through an associate identified as Anvesh Reddy
- The accused offered to issue a no-objection certificate once the payment was delivered
Accused Described as Habitual Litigant
In his complaint, Rao further characterized Raghuveer as a habitual litigant who had previously filed several speculative PILs with the apparent intention of extorting money from individuals. This pattern of behavior formed part of the basis for the criminal complaint.
Legal Framework and Police Response
Based on Rao's detailed allegations, the Banjara Hills police have registered a formal case under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita:
- Section 308(3) - Putting a person in fear of injury to commit extortion
- Section 351(2) - Criminal intimidation
- Read with Section 3(5) - Common intention
Banjara Hills Inspector S Suhasan provided an official statement regarding the investigation: "We are currently verifying the allegations against the accused by collecting all relevant evidence. Appropriate legal action will be initiated based on the findings of our initial probe."
The case represents a significant development in Hyderabad's legal landscape, highlighting concerns about potential misuse of public interest litigation mechanisms for personal financial gain. As the investigation progresses, authorities will examine the evidence to determine the validity of the extortion allegations and whether the PIL was indeed filed with improper motives.
