Farmer on the run after using name of slain naxal to extort ₹5000

Pavagada police are on the lookout for a farmer who allegedly used the name of a deceased Naxal to threaten another farmer and demand ₹5 lakh as ransom.

The accused, identified as Venkatesh, a resident of Kanikala bande village, had allegedly sent a threatening letter to a Hiriyanna farmer named Devanna Dalam, a Naxal leader from Andhra Pradesh who died a few years ago. In the letter, Hiriyanna was reportedly warned to pay ₹5 lakh to Venkatesh or face dire consequences.

Police suspect that Venkatesh resorted to the threat to intimidate Hiriyanna following a land dispute between the two farmers. Investigators believe he deliberately used the name of the Naxal group to make the threat appear real and instill fear in his rival.

Based on a complaint filed by Hiriyanna, the Pavagada police registered an extortion case and launched an investigation to trace Venkatesh, who is currently absconding.

According to the police, Venkatesh, who is the husband of the Gram Panchayat president, is a habitual offender against whom several cases are pending.

The police are looking for him to see if he used similar tactics to threaten or blackmail others.

Published – 13 Sep 2026 22:41 IST