HYDERABAD: Two individuals who impersonated the personal assistant (PA) of Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and attempted to influence government and police officials across Telangana have been arrested by the Nagole police.
The incident came to light after several officials, suspicious of the duo’s behaviour, contacted Perala Naresh, Data Processing Officer (DPO) to Minister Srinivas Reddy, who confirmed that the individuals were imposters. Based on Naresh’s complaint, the police registered a case and took both accused into custody.
According to the police, Mach Suresh (30), a native of Pallagutta village in Chilpur mandal of Warangal district and a cab driver residing in Venkata Reddy Nagar Colony in Nagole, Hyderabad, had been calling various officials from the number 9030931213. He falsely claimed to be the PA of Minister Srinivas Reddy and requested favours under this pretext.
On 29 March, he called the Chotuppal Circle Inspector (CI) seeking a post-mortem report in a suspicious death case. He also contacted the Narsingi CI in a civil matter, the JBS regional personnel officer in Secunderabad regarding a driver’s transfer, and the Ghatkesar Excise CI requesting the release of a vehicle seized in a cannabis case. Additionally, he approached the management of Jahnavi Degree College for a seat and tried to secure a ₹10 lakh personal loan from the manager of Union Bank.
Suspicious officials traced his identity and discovered that no such person worked with the minister.
Similarly, Bus Venkat Reddy (30), from Chityal in Bhupalpally district and a resident of Mamatha Nagar Colony in Nagole, also claimed to be the minister’s PA. He contacted officials including the Gopalapuram SI and Traffic CI, Bhupalpally CI, Uppal CI, Tapachabutra CI, Nacharam CI, Peddakothapalli CI, Nagole CI, Ghatkesar CI, and the PA to the Rajendranagar MLA, seeking favourable action on various matters.
His actions too raised suspicion among officials, who then informed DPO Perala Naresh. Following his formal complaint, the Nagole police arrested both Suresh and Venkat Reddy and registered a case against them for impersonation and fraud.