Vijayawada: Ending speculation of involvement of various persons in the blackmailing racket in the city, Commissioner of Police D. Gautam Sawang, on Monday, said so far, nine persons have been suspected of blackmailing the church priest and that inquiry is on.
Addressing reporters, Mr Sawang said one among the suspects is a former mediaperson and that he played key role in the blackmailing episode. "We are investigating the case and efforts are on to recover and trace the money collected from the priest. Probe is on into the role of the suspects. According to the priest's complaint, Rs 1.33 crore was extorted by the blackmailers," he said.
"There are different versions coming in the media which may not be factual. The priest's complaint states a gang trapped and blackmailed him," Mr Sawang added. Replying to a query, he said cops have not questioned any mediapersons so far. "The priest said he had sold the properties owned by him and his relatives to pay the blackmailers." However, no case has been registered so far and the Commissioner’s Task Force alone is investigating the case without involvement of local police.
