Extortion gang targeting Charminar vendors busted, key accused arrested

The Hyderabad police arrested another accused in an organised extortion racket that targeted pushcart vendors operating around the busy Charminar area, forcing them to pay daily “mamool” to continue their trade.

The arrested man, identified as Azhar Khan, 44, was apprehended on March 24 near a sugarcane juice stall close to Charminar following a complaint from a cosmetic pushcart vendor. According to police, the vendor alleged that he was being threatened and coerced into paying money on a daily basis to avoid harassment and disruption to his business.