Hyderabad: YouTube journalist held for Rs. 5 crore extortion attempt on Jukkal MLA

Hyderabad: Menam Shyam Sunder, who identifies as a journalist with the YouTube channel ‘Praja Voice,’ was arrested on April 23,2025, following a complaint lodged a day earlier by Thota Laxmikantha Rao, MLA of Jukkal. The arrest came after Shyam reportedly confessed to the crime.

According to the police, Shyam, in collaboration with Nirupa Anil Kumar Dadania, allegedly attempted to extort ₹5 crores from the MLA by threatening to release defamatory content on social media. The accusations involved a purported interview with a woman, which the duo claimed would damage the MLA’s reputation.

Devices including laptops, desktops, a mobile phone, and a vehicle reportedly used in the commission of the crime were seized during the investigation.

The case has been registered under Crime No. 439/2025 and booked under Sections 308(3), 351(3), 352, 61(2) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rajendranagar Zone, Cyberabad, confirmed the arrest.