Hyderabad police invoke Preventive Detention Act against fake officer

Cyberabad Police Commissioner Dr. M. Ramesh has invoked the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against Nagaraju Raghu Verma, an individual accused of posing as a police officer to defraud, kidnap, and extort money from citizens.

Verma, originally from West Godavari district, allegedly used his fake identity to intimidate victims by claiming they were involved in criminal cases, subsequently demanding money to resolve these purported issues. He is also accused of using firearms to commit robberies and kidnappings.

Authorities noted that Verma has a significant criminal history, with 14 cases filed against him between 2017 and 2026, including fraud, extortion, and violations of the Arms Act, 1959. Despite being detained under the PD Act in 2021 and 2024, he reportedly resumed criminal activities upon his release. He has now been transferred to Cherlapally Central Jail.