Black Magic Fraud Busted in Sircilla : 2 Arrested, Rs 30.5 Lakh Seized
Sircilla Police Bust Fake Godmen Racket: Duo Duped Woman of Over Rs 1 Crore in Name of Occult Healing
Occult Pooja Scam in Rajanna Sircilla: Woman Loses Over Rs 1 Crore, 2 Arrested
RAJANNA SIRCILLA: Two Held for Cheating in the Name of Black Magic Pujas
Rajanna Sircilla Police arrested two persons for allegedly cheating innocent people in the name of occult rituals, black magic, and exorcism.
Police seized Rs 30.50 lakh in cash, two cell phones, two jaggery-made dolls used for black magic, turmeric, kumkum and other pooja material from them. The details were revealed by District SP Mahesh B. Githe.
Accused Details:
A-1: Thurupati Shyam Kumar (57), resident of Mankammathota, Karimnagar, presently living in Thumukunta, Hyderabad. He runs Bhadrakali Pooja Stores in Hyderabad.
A-2: Pattem Laxmirajam (60), resident of Agraharam village, Vemulawada Urban Mandal.
Case:Cr.No 478/2026, U/s 318(4), 316(2), 308(5) r/w 3(5) BNS, Sec 7 of Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954 – Sircilla PS.
Modus Operandi:
According to police, Shyam Kumar and Laxmirajam hatched a plan to target superstitious and vulnerable people. Shyam Kumar would identify customers coming to his pooja store and refer them to Laxmirajam as a powerful priest who cures chronic diseases through occult pujas. They would then share the collected money equally.
In January this year, a woman named Bandari Latha from Uppal, Hyderabad, who was suffering from chronic illness, approached Shyam Kumar’s shop. Believing her faith in gods and pujas, Shyam Kumar convinced her that her illness could be cured through occult rituals by Laxmirajam.
In February, he brought her to the Old Bus Stand in Sircilla and introduced her to Laxmirajam. As per their plan, Laxmirajam convinced her and collected Rs 10 lakh on the same day for pooja material.
Later, on the pretext of performing pujas at different holy places, they collected Rs 21 lakh at Yadadri and Rs 13 lakh at Kashi. The victim was also made to transfer around Rs 62 lakh in installments to Shyam Kumar’s SBI Account No. 41666383218 and other accounts. In total, they extorted over Rs 1 crore from her.
Fearing that she would realize the fraud, they also took her signatures on blank white papers to blackmail her in the future. When she asked for her money back saying her illness was not cured, they threatened to kill her and her entire family through black magic. They also lured her by claiming that there was a huge hidden treasure in her agricultural field.
On August 23rd, they called her again to Sircilla Old Bus Stand promising to return her money but did not show up. Following this, she lodged a complaint.
Based on her complaint, police launched an investigation, apprehended both accused at Laxmirajam’s house in Agraharam, recovered Rs 30.5 lakh cash and other material, and remanded them.
SP Mahesh B. Githe appreciated DSP Nagendra Chari, CI Srinivas, SI Ganesh and staff for their efforts in nabbing the accused.
SP’s Appeal to Public:
SP said black magic, exorcism and mantras are not a solution for health problems. People should consult qualified doctors for medical issues. He urged the public not to believe anyone demanding money in the name of pujas, occult rituals or hidden treasures, and to immediately inform the police if such fraudsters approach them.
