In a significant development, Rajendranagar DCP CH. Srinivas confirmed the arrest of six individuals in connection with the recent attack on Rangarajan, the chief priest of Chilkur Balaji Temple. Among those arrested is the prime accused, Veera Raghava Reddy, along with two women.
DCP Srinivas provided details of the arrest, stating, “This morning, five individuals were arrested and sent to remand. The accused are from Khammam and Nizamabad. The main accused, Veera Raghava Reddy, has also been taken into custody. They had sought financial assistance from Rangarajan and demanded his induction into ‘Ramarajyam.’ When he refused, they resorted to violence.”
The DCP further explained the origins of ‘Ramarajyam,’ which was founded by Veera Raghava Reddy in 2022 and promoted via social media. “Reddy claimed that members of Ramarajyam would receive a monthly salary of ₹20,000. He traveled to Tanuku and Kotappakonda, encouraging people to join and even organize uniform stitching. On the 6th of this month, the group gathered in Yapral for a photo and video shoot with the Ramarajyam banner to further their cause. The following day, 25 of his followers, dressed in black and traveling in three vehicles, arrived in Chilkur and attacked Rangarajan,” the DCP added.
Veera Raghava Reddy, a resident of Manikonda, hails from Koppavaram in East Godavari district.