Four held for extortion attempt

Four persons were arrested on Friday for allegedly trying to extort Rs. 40 lakh from an Ayurvedic doctor saying they had recorded visuals of the latter’s ‘indecent’ acts.

Prime accused B. Koteswar Rao, who was arrested by the Madhapur police, was also allegedly involved in the sensational murder of M.A. Paul, brother of evangelist K.A. Paul. Three others — P. Rajasekhara Reddy, N. Venkat Ramana and M. Venkateshwar Rao — were also arrested.

The accused had been calling up the doctor, who operates an Ayurvedic hospital at Ayyappa Society, for the past few days, saying they had obtained visuals of his indecent behaviour.

“Pay us Rs. 40 lakh or else we will make public the video CD we have with us,” they allegedly threatened him.

Madhapur Inspector K. Srinath Reddy said the CD contained some morphed images. Based on the complaint lodged by the doctor, the police registered a criminal case and caught the accused at Madhapur. The police said they move court for further custody the Rao, so as to ascertain if there were any others behind the extortion bid.

Woman stabbed to death

Two siblings stabbed a woman to death and attacked her husband at Shamshabad on Friday night.

The accused, Srikanth and his brother Ashok, went to the house of Mamata, 28, in Peddashapur and attacked her with knives, as they suspected her of having an illicit relationship with their father, Mallesh. They also inflicted knife injuries on Mamata’s husband Shantaiah as he tried to resist them. While Mamata died instantly, Shantaiah was admitted to a private hospital.

The couple used to work with Mallesh, Shamshabad Inspector Anjaiah said.