Andhra Pradesh: ₹7 Crore Chit Fund Fraud Sparks Protest In Pulivendula

The issue arose at Muddanur Road, where retired teacher Shivakashi allegedly defaulted on payments after running chit funds and private lending operations for several years.

Known as a trusted figure, he reportedly collected large sums from residents by offering high interest rates.

According to locals, the accused had built credibility over time, prompting nearly 100 investors to deposit their savings with him. However, the situation took a dramatic turn on Sunday morning when investors found his house locked.

“When we reached his house, we found it locked and a notice pasted outside claiming he was under threat from lenders. We were shocked and helpless,” said one of the victims.

The notice reportedly listed names of individuals who had lent money to him, stating that his life was in danger due to mounting pressure. This has further complicated the situation, leaving the victims unable to confront him directly.

Around 100 victims gathered in front of the house and staged a protest, demanding justice and recovery of their money. Many expressed distress over losing their life-long savings. “We trusted him because he was a retired teacher and had a good reputation,” a victim lamented.

The aggrieved persons later approached Pulivendula police and lodged a complaint. “A case has been registered and we are starting an investigation,” CI Sriram said.

Police sources indicated that the number of affected persons could be higher, with nearly 150 individuals already queueing up with complaints.

Kadapa student drowns in Brahmaputra river

A 20-year-old engineering student from YSR Kadapa district drowned in the Brahmaputra river in Assam, leaving her family and hometown in shock.

The victim, Chetana, daughter of Jammalamadugu tahsildar Sainath Reddy, was pursuing B.Tech at IIT Guwahati.

According to information received, Chetana had gone to the banks of the Brahmaputra with her friends to witness the swollen river following continuous heavy rainfall in Assam. The river, which flows close to the IIT Guwahati campus, has been in spate due to heavy inflows.

She reportedly slipped into the river and was swept away by the strong current. Authorities launched a search operation and later recovered her body.

Officials said a post-mortem examination was being conducted in Assam. The mortal remains are expected to be brought to Jammalamadugu on Monday.

On receiving the news, Sainath Reddy rushed to Assam. Family members, local residents and officials expressed grief over the untimely death of the young student.

Three held for buying newborn girl in Vijayawada

Three persons, including a couple from Prakasam district and a man from Bihar, were arrested by NTR district police on Sunday for allegedly purchasing a three-day-old baby girl through an illegal child trafficking network. Police rescued the infant and seized three mobile phones from the accused.

Acting on specific intelligence received by police commissioner S.V. Rajasekhar Babu, police intercepted the suspects near Rajiv Gandhi Park in Krishnalanka during a vehicle checking drive. Finding them carrying a newborn under suspicious circumstances, police rescued the baby and took the trio into custody.

The accused were identified as Konatham Venkata Krishna Reddy (33) and his wife Konatham Shiva Parvathi (27), natives of Polavaram village in Prakasam district, and Syed Alam (34) of Gaya district, Bihar.

Police said the couple, who had remained childless despite undergoing IVF treatment and exploring surrogacy, later approached an IVF hospital in Delhi. There, they allegedly came into contact with a woman employee who offered to arrange a newborn for money after they were informed they were unlikely to conceive.

Investigators said the couple paid `6.59 lakh in instalments before travelling to Delhi three days ago to take custody of the baby girl. Syed Alam, the woman's husband, accompanied them on their return journey. Police intercepted the trio in Vijayawada before they could proceed to Prakasam district.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Administrative DCP K.G.V. Saritha, with Task Force ADCP K. Latha Kumari, South ACP Manasa, Women Police Station Inspector Vasavi and their teams.

Police registered a case under provisions relating to human trafficking, the illegal purchase and sale of children and other relevant laws. They are investigating the role of the Delhi-based woman and the possible involvement of others in the trafficking network.

Police urged childless couples to adopt children only through legally recognised and government-approved procedures.

SIT seeks public help to trace absconding accused in Sai Krishna custodial death case

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Sunday appealed to the public to provide credible information on the whereabouts of Gulivindala Suresh, the absconding accused in the sensational Sai Krishna custodial death case.

The SIT said Suresh (A4), a 40-year-old resident of Satyanarayanapuram in Vijayawada, has been evading arrest since Crime No. 107/2026 was registered at Krishnalanka Police Station. The investigation team informed the court that he remains absconding and that multiple special teams have been deployed to trace and arrest him.

According to investigators, Suresh, a close associate of former Krishnalanka Circle Inspector Nagaraju, is a key accused in the case. He allegedly attempted to influence the victim's family into accepting a settlement after the custodial death.

The SIT has already arrested five of the six accused, including Nagaraju, who was serving as the Krishnalanka Circle Inspector when the incident allegedly occurred.

Police said the case remains under investigation and that the victim Sai Krishna's body has not yet been traced.

The SIT warned that anyone knowingly sheltering or assisting the absconding accused would face legal action. It appealed to the public to share information on Suresh's whereabouts with the nearest police station or through the emergency helplines 100 or 112, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept confidential.