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Massive call money racket busted in Andhra Pradesh, 80 arrested

by IBNS 17 Dec 2015, 08:32 am

Hyderabad, Dec 17 (IBNS) A massive blackmail, extortion and sex racket linked to "call money" has been busted in Andhra Pradesh and 80 people from different political parties have been arrested, reports said.

According to police, the racket operated in multiple districts and involved politicians, businessmen and so-called moneylenders. The Andhra Pradesh government has ordered a judicial probe into what has been dubbed the "call money racket."

The police say the racket used to coerce women into sexual exploitation.

The lenders reportedly demanded rates of interest that were as high as 120 per cent to 200 per cent. Promissory notes and blank cheques were taken against the loans.

The case came to light after a woman in Vijayawada complained to the police that she was forced to give back Rs. 6 lakh when she borrowed only Rs. 1.5 lakh.

"The names of several ruling party lawmakers, ministers and other influential Telugu Desam Party leaders have come up in this shameful scam. Yet the chief minister has not taken any action," alleged YSR Congress president Jaganmohan Reddy, who took the case to the governor.