Hyderabad: Dabeerpura Police arrested a rowdy sheeter on June 22 in connection with the Dabeerpura extortion case after a Hyderabad builder alleged that he was threatened and pressured to pay a ransom of Rs 50 lakh.
The accused was identified as Habeeb Ali Baghdadi, 57, a businessman and resident of King Koti, Hyderabad. Police said he was arrested at 2 pm on June 22 following a complaint lodged by builder Syed Yousuf Shareef of Azampura.
According to the complaint, Shareef is constructing a new building at Kaladera in Malakpet. He alleged that the accused had been harassing him for several months and demanding Rs 50 lakh. The complainant claimed the accused threatened to have a serious criminal case registered against him if the demand was not met.
Police said that around two months ago, the accused allegedly entered the construction site without permission and enquired about the builder. When a plumber questioned him, he allegedly displayed a knife concealed in his waistband and threatened consequences if the builder refused to comply with his demands.
Dabeerpura extortion case exposed alleged blackmail method
Investigators said the accused allegedly returned to the construction site on June 9 and again threatened the watchman and the complainant in an attempt to obtain money. Police alleged that after returning from Saudi Arabia, the accused targeted newly constructed buildings and builders.
According to the investigation, he allegedly identified alleged violations in properties, photographed them and posted the images on Facebook while tagging government departments and senior officials. Police said he then allegedly demanded money from builders and property owners and threatened to file complaints seeking demolition of buildings if his demands were not fulfilled.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and launched an investigation. During the probe, officers apprehended the accused and took him into custody. Further investigation is underway.
Police records showed that the accused had previously been named in several criminal cases registered between 2017 and 2023 at Narayanguda and Abids police stations, including cases related to extortion, criminal intimidation, trespass and other offences.
The case is being investigated by Sub-Inspector N. Naveen and his team under the guidance of Inspector P. Upashankar. Senior officers of the Malakpet Division and Charminar Zone are supervising the investigation.
