Man held for extortion; HYDRAA Commissioner warns of jail
Hyderabad: A man was reportedly arrested on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, for allegedly extorting money under the guise of representing the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA).
Dr. Sudhakar, a builder and resident of Ameenpur in Sangareddy district, brought an issue to the attention of HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath last Monday. According to the reports, the builder accused a local individual of threatening him with money while posing as a revolutionary social worker.
Following the complaint, the Sangareddy Superintendent of Police (SP) acted on the information and the local police registered a case against a person named Viplav. The accused was apprehended and has been remanded to judicial custody.
Meanwhile, HYDRAA Commissioner A.V. Ranganath has issued a strict warning against using the agency’s name for illegal activities. Ranganath stated, “Anyone found collecting money in the name of HYDRAA will face jail time.” He said that any attempts to exploit the agency’s name to threaten or extort money from people will not be tolerated, and such cases will be reported to the authorities.
Ranganath further explained that HYDRAA’s recent crackdowns on illegal constructions have led to individuals and organisations pretending to be social activists threatening builders, claiming they would report them to HYDRAA for alleged illegal constructions in buffer zones and Full Tank Level (FTL) areas.
He urged anyone who encounters threats from individuals or government officials using HYDRAA’s name to report the incidents immediately to local police, the SP, the Commissioner of Police, or directly to the HYDRAA office. Complaints can also be directed to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
The HYDRAA Commissioner said that the department was established with the intent of serving the public and ensuring safety. He assured that strict legal action would be taken against anyone misusing the department’s name for personal gain.
