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Was Rajnikanth duped by Ranga Rao's
secretary posing as a godman?

The sensational arrest of Dr P V Ranga Rao, former Andhra Pradesh education minister and former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao's eldest son, in a cheating case caught the state's leading political dynasty by surprise.

The complaint was filed by Tamil movie superstar Rajnikanth.

Rajnikanth told Hyderabad Police Commissioner Pervaram Ramulu that Ranga Rao, in alleged cahoots with his private secretary Konala Gopalakrishna Reddy, had duped him to the tune of Rs 20.6 million, on the pretext of producing a feature film on Raghavendra Swamy, the saint of Mantralayam.

The arrest unleashed a flurry of activity in Hyderabad's political, movie and media circles, and threw up speculative stories about the drama.

A newspaper report said sometime ago, Reddy announced himself as a reincarnation of Raghavendra Swamy, and cultivated luminaries in political circles and the film industry.

A film producer introduced Reddy to Rajnikanth. Apparently, Rajnikanth 'donated' (as against loan/financing) Rs 20 million for the construction of an ashram, not for film production.

Observers wonder why a superstar like Rajnikanth would agree to fund a stenographer even if the latter were to approach him for film financing.

Apparently, Rajnikanth believed Reddy to be a genuine godman. A Telugu film actor, however, told him Reddy had dubious links. An irate Rajnikanth then reached Hyderabad to sort out matters.

Some of his advisors asked him to lodge a police complaint. Apparently, Rajnikanth met AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Meantime, Reddy sought to steer clear of controversy and the police, and proposed negotiations.

That is when P V Ranga Rao issued the post-dated cheque, drawn on Canara Bank, Kundan Bagh branch, to Rajnikanth. But it bounced.

A local newspaper report alleged Rajnikanth's friends met with a Telugu film director and decided to enlist the support of a former minister's followers for employing strong-arm tactics.

Legal circles in Hyderabad are abuzz that the police acted in haste in arresting Ranga Rao. Even if Rajnikanth's charges are true, Rao's arrest is not essential, they said.

Ranga Rao's younger brother P V Rajeswara Rao, a former member of the Lok Sabha and senior official of the Congress party, told rediff.com that there were speculative reports in local language newspapers on Saturday itself about the arrest. "It was shocking news to us. Even now, we are not aware of the full details and background of the case."

According to media reports, sleuths from the white collar offences wing of the city crime station and the task force officials visited Ranga Rao's house in Kundan Bagh at noon on Saturday.

Rao's arrest was delayed because the SPG group, which is responsible for his Z-category security, insisted on escorts.

At 1300, after the escorts arrived, Rao was shifted in a bullet-proof car to the task force office at Greenlands. By 1500, the remand application was prepared.

At 1645, Rao and Reddy were produced before 21st Metropolitan Magistrate K Sudhamani who ordered that they be kept in judicial custody for 14 days.

The magistrate also ordered that Rao be moved to the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences hospital for a check up as he recently underwent bypass surgery and suffers from long-term ailments. Rao complained of chest pain at the court.

Later, the duo was shifted from the court premises, which was overflowing with mediapersons to the Chanchalguda central jail.

At the jail, the authorities, citing rules that the accused are not allowed to step out after 1800, refused to let Rao go to hospital. High drama ensued.

Rao's lawyers, his escorts, the police and jail authorities were locked in arguments. After consultations with higher-ups, Rao was finally shifted to NIMS at 2100.

Media reports said Rao condemned the police action and pleaded innocence, calling his arrest illegal.

Apparently, Rao, a bachelor, called his family members and said he was unaware about the details of the case and pleaded innocence. He hinted that some confusion about the real culprits may have led to his arrest.

Asked if Rao had pleaded innocence when he was arrested, Police Commissioner P Ramulu told rediff.com, "Yes. He said his PA is responsible. He also said that out of sheer love and affection for his PA, he had issued to Rajnikanth a cheque, which bounced. You can draw your conclusions from this."

However, from his hospital bed, Ranga Rao told a television channel that Rajnikanth ought to have cross-checked with him about K G Reddy before parting with a "huge sum". "There ought to have been some kind of understanding or agreement in writing," Rao said.

He also expressed surprise that Rajnikanth chose to complain to the police in spite of his commitment to settle the issue by August 1.

It is learnt the police have documentary evidence to prove Ranga Rao's alleged crime. Apparently, Rao gave an undertaking on a stamped paper that Reddy and he misused the funds, and would settle the debt.

It is also learnt K G Reddy submitted a statement to the magistrate that he and his wife were arrested by the task force on January 29.

According to Reddy, the police blindfolded them and shifted them to an undisclosed location where allegedly Mohan Babu, a Telugu film star who is a close friend of Rajnikanth, and the Kukatpalli sub-registrar were waiting.

There, Reddy alleged, task force officials tortured them and forced them to sign on blank paper-sheets.

Police Commissioner Ramulu said Rajnikanth personally complained to him about the Rs 20.6 million cheating on January 29. "We arrested Krishna Reddy on Friday and Ranga Rao on Saturday under Sections 406 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code."

The IPC sections pertain to criminal breach of trust and wilful cheating respectively.

Ramana Murthy and Aparna, residents of Sanjeeva Reddy Nagar who offered Reddy shelter, were arrested on January 31.

It is learnt that Rajnikanth was upset that months after he had issued the cheque to Reddy for the production, shooting did not begin. "So he had started pressurising Reddy and Rao. Feeling the heat, Rao issued a cheque to Rajnikanth. This could mean Rao used the money," Ramulu said.

No family member has so far contacted Ranga Rao after the arrest on Saturday. The police have not questioned any family member either.

Rajeswara Rao said the three brothers -- Narasimha Rao's sons -- eke out their living from their separate businesses. Familial interaction, apparently, is restricted to special occasions like festivals and functions.

"That's why I have absolutely no idea of what's going on. People have been carrying so many stories since the arrest. I didn't try to contact him because I was told the police would not allow me to meet him."

Rajeswara Rao, who is also accorded SPG security, said it was his guards who conveyed news of the arrest. The SPG also conveyed the news to Narasimha Rao in New Delhi.

By the time Rajeswara Rao's daughter, who is in New Delhi, conveyed the news to her grandfather, Narasimha Rao was apparently aware of the developments about to unfold, hours before the actual arrest.

Asked how he would describe his brother, a former journalism student and physician, Rajeswara Rao said: "Ranga Rao is a very nice person. He is reserved. He doesn't interfere in others' personal affairs. He is a gentleman."

When rediff.com called Rajnikanth's office in Madras for the actor's comments, a voice shouted, "Nobody is here. Don't disturb!" and disconnected the call.

Apparently, Rajnikanth told Police Commissioner Ramulu that he has lost faith in godmen, and will steer clear of them.

A team from the task force has left for West Godavari district where Reddy allegedly stashed cash and jewellery in a bank locker. The police suspect there may be more people involved in this sordid drama.

Ranga Rao lawyers are expected to move for bail in a day or two.

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