Mon Feb 10 13:48:57 UTC 2025: ## Five Arrested in Attack on Chilkur Balaji Temple Priest
**Hyderabad, February 10, 2025** – Five more individuals have been arrested in connection with the assault of C.S. Rangarajan, the head priest of the Chilkur Balaji Temple, Cyberabad police announced Monday. The arrests bring the total number of suspects apprehended to six, following the earlier arrest of the alleged mastermind, Kovvuri Veer Raghava Reddy.
The attack, which occurred on February 7th, involved a group of approximately 20-25 individuals dressed in black uniforms who demanded financial support and recruitment into a group called the “Rama Rajyam Army.” When the priest refused, he was assaulted.
According to Ch. Srinivas, DCP of Rajendra Nagar zone, Reddy, a 45-year-old, founded the “Rama Rajyam” movement in 2022, using social media platforms to recruit members under the guise of protecting Hindu dharma. He allegedly offered a salary of ₹20,000 to recruits during a drive held between September and December 2024.
Police investigations revealed that the group met in Tanuku, Andhra Pradesh, on January 24th before travelling to Kotappakonda to purchase uniforms. They met again in Hyderabad on February 6th before carrying out the attack the following day. Two of the arrested individuals are women from Khammam and Nizamabad districts.
Dr. M.V. Soundararajan, the priest’s father and convenor of the Temples Protection Movement, condemned the attack, stating the group falsely claimed descent from the Ikshwaku clan and misinterpreted the concept of Rama Rajya. The Cyberabad police are continuing their investigation into the group’s operations and potential wider network. Reddy has been remanded to judicial custody.
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