Farmer on the run after using slain naxal’s name to extort ₹5 lakh
Police in Pavagada are searching for a farmer who allegedly used the name of a deceased Naxal leader to extort money from a neighbor. The suspect reportedly used the threat to intimidate his rival amid an ongoing land dispute.
Why it matters
The case illustrates how historical insurgent identities are sometimes exploited for local criminal extortion and personal vendettas.
The Pavagada police are on a manhunt for a farmer who allegedly used the name of a late Naxal to threaten another farmer and demand ₹5 lakh as ransom.
The accused, identified as Venkatesh, resident of Kanikala bande village, allegedly sent a threatening letter to fellow farmer Hiriyanna in the name of Devanna Dalam, a Naxal leader from Andhra Pradesh who died a few years ago. In the letter, Hiriyanna was allegedly warned to pay ₹5 lakh to Venkatesh or face dire consequences.
Police suspect that Venkatesh resorted to the threat to intimidate Hiriyanna following a land dispute between the two farmers. Investigators believe he deliberately invoked the name of the Naxal group to make the threat appear genuine and instil fear in his rival.
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