Hyderabad: A simple complaint from a woman in Vijayawada about having to pay six times more the borrowed money, led the police to unearth the dark underbelly of threats, coercion, extortion, sexual exploitation and even prostitution riding on a money-lending business operating from multiple districts of Andhra Pradesh, shockingly involving politicians, businessmen and influential others.
A total of 80 people including people from across the political spectrum have landed in police net, sources reveal.
Called ‘Call Money Sex Racket’, here a loan is just a phone call away. Money is delivered right at the doorstep and the lender can demand for the loan amount at any time and if the borrower fails to repay then the lender can take away any movable or immovable assets. As per police sources, the ‘Call money’ has subjected several women to sexual exploitation.
The issue came to light after a woman in Vijayawada complained to the police that she was forced to give Rs 6 lac in return for borrowing Rs 1.5 lac.
When the cops started investigating the case, the ugly and demonic face of the ‘call money racket’ came to the fore.
The rates of interest charged are very high, estimated to be from 120 per cent to 200 per cent. Against the loan given, promissory notes and blank cheques are taken.
It is said that names of several ruling party MLAs, MPs, ministers and other influential TDP leaders has come up in this shameful scam.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has said tough action will be taken against all criminal elements involved and has asked district police to invoke Nirbhaya Act in case there is an instance of sexual exploitation.
