Bachupally Police Book Priest and Wife for Cheating Software Techie of Rs 20 Lakh

The Bachupally police have registered multiple cheating cases against a priest, Chamarthi Ramalatharao alias Rama Sarma, his wife Prameela Rani, and their associate Manchikanti Venkata Raghavendra Vara Prasad for allegedly duping a software professional and misusing his identity documents in Pragathi Nagar.

According to Bachupally Inspector P. Dali Naidu, the priest befriended the complainant, M. Naveen, and his wife Bhavya while residing in the same apartment building in Pragathi Nagar. In 2023, Rama Sarma sought financial assistance from Naveen, promising to return the money within three months. Believing his words, Naveen transferred Rs. 20 lakh to him. However, the accused failed to repay the amount and fled to the United States.

Following a complaint lodged by Naveen, the police issued a Look Out Circular against the priest. In June, immigration officials intercepted Rama Sarma at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad upon his return to India. He was handed over to the Bachupally police and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.

Further troubles surfaced when Naveen lodged a separate complaint on the 27th of last month regarding identity theft. According to the complaint, Naveen and his wife had handed over their apartment keys to Rama Sarma's family to feed their aquarium fish while they travelled abroad. Taking advantage of the access, the family allegedly stole the couple's Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and electricity bills, and forged their signatures.

The accused allegedly used the stolen identity proofs to create a fake website, claiming to have established 'Sri Gurudatta Lakshminarasimha Guruvambika Peetham' at Naveen's residential address. They used the platform to collect donations from devotees. The fraud was uncovered when Naveen discovered that a bank account had been opened in the name of the ashram at a private bank in KPHB Colony, where multiple transactions were being conducted.

Police officials noted that serious allegations have surfaced against Rama Sarma regarding fraudulent activities conducted under the guise of religious rituals in both the United States and Hyderabad. Inspector Dali Naidu stated that cases have been registered and an investigation is underway. The police are actively searching for Rama Sarma and Prameela Rani, who are currently absconding.