Five More Arrested in Chilkur Balaji Temple Priest Assault Case

Hyderabad police have taken five more individuals into custody, including two women, in connection with the recent attack on CS Rangarajan, the chief priest of the revered Chilkur Balaji Temple. With these latest arrests, the total number of individuals detained in the case has risen to six.

Attack Linked to Pressure for Financial Support

The incident, which involved Rangarajan being threatened and physically assaulted, was allegedly orchestrated by Kovvuri Veera Raghava Reddy and his associates. Reddy, who is the founder of a self-styled organization known as "Rama Rajyam," had been arrested earlier and is currently in judicial custody.

According to law enforcement officials, Reddy had been pressuring Rangarajan for financial assistance while also demanding that he help recruit members for the so-called "Rama Rajyam Army."

Organization’s Recruitment and Online Promotion

Investigators revealed that Reddy established "Rama Rajyam" in 2022, leveraging social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube to expand its reach. His online content frequently featured religious verses, urging followers to enlist in his group under the guise of protecting Hindu Dharma.

To attract recruits, Reddy even promised a monthly salary of ₹20,000 to those who officially joined his movement.

Uniformed Assembly and Attack Execution

In January, Reddy convened a gathering of 25 individuals in Tanuku before leading them to Kotappakonda, where each participant contributed ₹2,000 towards the creation of official uniforms. Once their attire was prepared, the group assembled in Yapral, Hyderabad, posing for photos and videos in their newly designed outfits.

The next day, the group proceeded to Chilkur, where the priest was allegedly confronted and assaulted.

Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation

Following their arrest, the five newly detained suspects were presented before the court and subsequently remanded into judicial custody. Meanwhile, authorities continue their probe into the case, with further developments expected as the investigation progresses.