Bachupally police probe priest over alleged fraud

HYDERABAD: Police allege he duped devotees in India and US Bachupally police are investigating allegations of fraud against priest Chamarthi Rama Lacharao, also known as Ramasharma, over alleged financial irregularities in the name of conducting religious rituals in Hyderabad and the US. Police have alleged that Ramasharma collected large sums from devotees promising to perform pujas [...] <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>HYDERABAD: </strong>Police allege he duped devotees in India and US</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Bachupally police are investigating allegations of fraud against priest Chamarthi Rama Lacharao, also known as Ramasharma, over alleged financial irregularities in the name of conducting religious rituals in Hyderabad and the US.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Police have alleged that Ramasharma collected large sums from devotees promising to perform pujas and other religious rituals. He is also accused of collecting and misusing devotees’ Aadhaar cards, PAN cards and electricity bills.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Police have detected large financial transactions in the bank accounts of Ramasharma and his wife, Prameela Rani, according to the allegations.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>US investigation led to alleged mutt fraud</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">The allegations also relate to Ramasharma’s activities in the US. Police said an investigation there brought to light an alleged fraud involving a religious institution.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">He is accused of forging a woman’s signature and registering a religious institution in her name. He is also alleged to have borrowed ₹91 lakh from the owner of a temple in the US and failed to repay the amount before leaving for Hyderabad.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Police allege devotees were cheated over jewellery</strong></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Ramasharma is also accused of collecting money from devotees on the promise of getting jewellery made for a deity.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Police have received information that properties held through benami arrangements may exist in Annavaram, Tuni and Bendapudi.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Bachupally police have registered cases against Ramasharma and are investigating the allegations. After the cases were registered, Ramasharma and Prameela Rani reportedly went on the run.</p> Police are searching for Ramasharma and Prameela Rani.