Hyderabad: Police in Rajanna Sircilla district have booked five persons for allegedly conspiring to use sorcery to harm a man as part of a plan to recover dowry given to him at the time of marriage. The incident was reported from Venkatapur village in Yellareddypet mandal.
According to police, Ragula Harichandu of Venkatapur married Asritha, a native of Rajakanpet in Kamareddy district, on August 12, 2022. As part of the marriage, Asritha’s family reportedly handed over 11 tolas of gold as dowry after selling a disputed plot to a relative, Maddikunta Swaroopa.
Upon realising the legal complications with the land, Swaroopa allegedly began pressing Asritha’s family to recover her money. With no recourse, she and other family members allegedly plotted to dissolve the marriage, believing they could reclaim the dowry amount through baranam (maintenance).
When Asritha refused to seek a divorce, the accused allegedly tried to manipulate Harichandu into agreeing to it, even citing his wife’s health. After repeated failed attempts, the group reportedly paid ₹1,000 to a self-styled godman, Baindla Rakesh, on April 14 and asked him to carry out sorcery intended to either paralyse or eliminate Harichandu.
The plan unravelled after Rakesh recorded their conversation and later exposed it when threatened by Harichandu. Following this, Asritha approached the police and filed a formal complaint.
Yellareddypet police have booked five accused — Adikam Sattaiah, Adikam Shankar Goud, Maddikunta Bala Goud, Maddikunta Swaroopa, and Maddikunta Sridhar Goud — all relatives of Asritha.
Investigation is in progress.