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The arrested duo confessed to conspiring the extortion plot due to financial distress, according to the police. (Express Archives)
The Cyberabad police on Wednesday arrested two people who allegedly impersonated Naxalites in an attempt at extortion of Rs 50 lakh from a local resident here. The duo, facing financial difficulties, escalated their threats by assembling an improvised explosive device (IED) after their initial demand went unanswered, the police said. Following the arrest, the police seized explosives, one threatening letter, four mobile phones, and Aadhaar cards from the accused.
A complaint was received by the Jeedimetla police on May 22, stating that a Tulasi plant in front of the complainant’s father’s home had been damaged, and a threatening letter, along with a red towel, was found placed on their car. The letter, purportedly from “Naxalites”, demanded Rs 50 lakh by 9 am on Friday, threatening the complainant’s life if the demand was not met.
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The damaged plant was presented as a symbolic warning, a statement from P Naresh Reddy, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Balanagar division, said. The arrested duo, identified as Erramsetty Raju, 33; and Kandurelli Raju, 24, both natives of Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, confessed to conspiring the extortion plot due to financial distress, according to the police.
Erramsetty Raju, who has a prior history of property offences registered at Gannavaram police station, was terminated from his private company three months ago.
According to their plan, they decided to target a well-off resident of Shapur Nagar. After their initial threatening letter demanding Rs 50 lakh received no response, they travelled to Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, where they allegedly assembled an IED. They returned to Hyderabad to plant and detonate the bomb at the complainant’s residence on May 28, 2025, aiming to instil fear and enforce compliance, said the police
Based on the complaint, the police started an investigation and formed three special teams. Through a combination of technical and human intelligence, including the analysis of over 500 CCTV footage, the teams successfully tracked the suspects’ movements. The suspects were intercepted based on a tip-off despite their attempt to flee, the police said.
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