Man with 14 criminal cases detained under PD Act for third time

The Cyberabad police have invoked the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against a 29-year-old alleged property offender who has been involved in 14 criminal cases since 2017, including cases of cheating, kidnapping, robbery and extortion.

Cyberabad Commissioner of Police M. Ramesh ordered the detention of Nagaraju Raghu Varma alias Nagaraju Karthikeya Raghu Varma alias Vamshi alias Alluri Vijaya Ram. He was lodged in Central Prison, Cherlapalli, Medchal district.

According to the Cyberabad police, Varma is a native of Poduru mandal in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh who migrated to Hyderabad and initially worked as a driver. Police said he later turned to criminal activities in pursuit of easy money.

“Varma impersonated a police officer and approached people claiming that criminal cases had been registered against them at various police stations. He allegedly threatened them with legal consequences and extorted money by promising to help them,” said the police, adding that he was also accused of kidnapping targeted persons and robbing them after threatening them with firearms.

Between 2017 and 2026, he was involved in 14 cases relating to cheating, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, criminal intimidation and offences under the Arms Act, 1959, according to the police.

This is the third time that the Cyberabad police have detained Varma under the PD Act. He was previously detained in 2021 and 2024. Police said he resumed criminal activities after both releases and was subsequently involved in four more cases involving kidnapping, extortion and robbery while allegedly impersonating a police officer.

In connection with the latest cases, Varma was arrested by the Jagadgirigutta police and lodged in jail. Citing his continued involvement in criminal activities despite the earlier preventive detention orders, the Cyberabad police invoked the PD Act against him again.

Police said the latest detention was intended to prevent him from engaging in further criminal activities.