Gadwal, Telangana – A major fraud case has shaken the residents of Aiza Municipality in Jogulamba Gadwal district. A man named Komati Thirumaleshu Shetty, also known as Tippayya Shetty or Pallaiah, has allegedly disappeared after cheating locals out of nearly ₹1 crore.
Shetty was well-known in the area. He ran a small soft drink shop and sold clothes from his home. Many people, especially women and families from middle- and low-income backgrounds, trusted him. Over time, he borrowed large sums of money from them, promising to repay soon.
But one night, Shetty vanished. His shop was locked. His house was empty. His phone was off. The community was left in shock. Some frustrated victims even tried to take a refrigerator from his locked shop in hopes of recovering a part of their losses.
One heartbreaking case involves a physically disabled man who had saved ₹1 lakh over several years. “He acted like a friend but ruined us,” the man said with tears in his eyes.
Many others, mostly women, gave Shetty their savings, and some even handed over gold and jewelry. Now, they are devastated and struggling.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, no FIR (First Information Report) has been filed yet. Victims say that court holidays have delayed the process. “If the courts were open, notices would have been sent by now,” said one woman.
However, activists argue that police don’t need to wait for courts. They can register a complaint and begin an investigation immediately. Locals are demanding fast action from the Jogulamba Gadwal district police.
Legal experts say Shetty could face several charges under the Indian Penal Code:
– Section 420 – Cheating (up to 7 years in jail and fine)
– Section 406 – Criminal breach of trust (up to 3 years or fine)
– Section 417 – Cheating (up to 1 year)
– Section 120B – Criminal conspiracy (if others were involved)
– Section 506 – Criminal intimidation (if threats were made)
– Sections 468 & 471 – Forgery and use of fake documents
Lawyers and social workers are advising victims to take the following steps:
1. File a police complaint as a group to strengthen their case.
2. Consider filing a civil case to recover money, or approach a consumer court if Shetty posed as a service provider.
3. Apply for aid under the Victim Compensation Scheme through the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).
4. Seek legal seizure of Shetty’s assets, like his shop and home, once charges are filed.
5. Use media attention and community protests to pressure authorities into acting faster.
To ensure justice, local officials must:
– File an FIR immediately, even during holidays.
– Locate and arrest Shetty using help from other districts.
– Stop him from selling or hiding any property.
– Assign an officer in Aiza to handle fraud cases and support victims.
This case is a harsh lesson on how easily trust can be misused. As dozens of families cope with financial loss and emotional trauma, the pressure is now on police and government officials to bring the accused to justice and restore faith in the system.
