Search the Internet          Tips

Ranga Rao arrested on Rajanikanth's complaint

Y Siva Sankar in Bombay,
Shobha Warrier in Madras

The sensational arrest of Dr P V Ranga Rao, former education minister of Andhra Pradesh and eldest son of former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao, in a cheating case filed by Tamil film superstar Rajanikanth, caught the state's pre-eminent political dynasty completely by surprise.

It is also likely to result in intense political play in the state capital.

(Rajanikanth had complained to the Hyderabad police that Ranga Rao, in cahoots with his private secretary G Krishna Reddy, had duped him to the tune of Rs 20.6 million, on the pretext of producing a feature film called Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mahatyam. Rajanikanth is a devotee of Saint Raghavendra Swamy of Mantralayam.)

Ranga Rao's younger brother Rajeswara Rao, a former member of the Lok Sabha and senior official of the Congress party, said there were speculative reports in local language newspapers on Saturday about the arrest. "It was shocking news to us. Even now we are not aware of the full details and background of the case."

News items published by the wires were sketchy when this report was being written at 2030 IST.

Rajeswara Rao said the first class judicial magistrate had denied bail to Ranga Rao, who was later shifted to Chanchalguda Jail in Hyderabad.

But the magistrate has ordered the police to move Ranga Rao to the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences hospital on health grounds. Ranga Rao, however, will remain in police custody.

Apparently, Ranga Rao, a bachelor, himself called his family members and said he was unaware of the details of the case and pleaded innocence. He hinted that some confusion about the real culprits may have led the police to arrest him.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner Pervaram Ramulu told rediff.com that Rajanikanth personally complained to him about the Rs 20.6 million cheating on January 29. "We arrested Krishna Reddy yesterday and Ranga Rao today under sections 406 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code." The IPC sections pertain to wilful cheating.
The commissioner was not sure about Ranga Rao's whereabouts at 20:00 hours IST. "He might be either at Musheerabad Jail or Chanchalguda Jail. I believe he was waiting for an escort to shift to NIMS. I don't know if he has sought the services of a lawyer."

But Rajeswara Rao said Ranga Rao may be defended by lawyer Sridhar.

Asked if Ranga Rao had pleaded innocence when he was arrested, Commissioner Ramulu said: "Yes. He said his PA is responsible. He also said that out of sheer love and affection for his PA, he had issued to Rajanikanth a cheque, which bounced. You can draw your own conclusions from this."

It is learnt that Rajanikanth was upset that months after he had issued the cheque to Krishna Reddy for the film production, shooting did not begin. "So he had started pressurising Reddy and Rao. Feeling the heat, Rao issued a cheque to Rajanikanth. This could mean Rao used the money," Ramulu said.

No family member has so far contacted Ranga Rao after the arrest at 1700 IST on Saturday.

Rajeswara Rao said the three brothers -- sons of Narasimha Rao, that is -- eke out their living from their separate businesses. Familial interaction, apparently, is restricted to special occasions like festivals and functions.

"That's why I've absolutely no idea of what's going on. People have been carrying so many stories since the arrest. I didn't try to contact him because I was told the police would not allow me to meet him."

Rajeswara Rao, who is accorded personal security by the Special Protection Group, said it was his guards who conveyed the news of the arrest. The SPG also conveyed the news to Narasimha Rao in New Delhi.

By the time Rajeswara Rao's daughter, who is in New Delhi, conveyed the news to her grandfather, Narasimha Rao was apparently aware of the developments about to unfold, five hours before the actual arrest.

Asked how he would describe his brother, a former journalism student and physician, Rajeswara Rao said: "Ranga Rao is a very nice person. He is reserved. He doesn't interfere in others' personal affairs. He is a gentleman."

The sensational arrest has led to wild rumours in Hyderabad. One of the rumours is that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu personally telephoned Rajanikanth to enquire about the case. Apparently, the actor agreed to withdraw the case against Ranga Rao, blaming his private secretary G Krishna Reddy for the cheating. But this could not be confirmed at the time of writing this report.

When rediff.com called Rajanikanth's office in Madras for the actor's comments, a voice shouted, "Nobody is here. Don't disturb!" and disconnected the call.

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report