The International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) scam that was traced to East Godavari has links to Krishna district, police say.

A fraudster, P. Avinash, claiming to be IHRC Chairman, had collected huge amounts from certain individuals, including politicians, promising them nominated posts in the Commission. The accused reportedly claimed he was a close relative of Home Minister Nimmakayala Chinarajappa.

Based on a complaint lodged by a woman who was allegedly duped by Avinash, the East Godavari police had arrested and remanded him to judicial custody a couple of days ago. Police also picked up his associates, Venugopal and Ramakrishna, from Nandigama in Krishna district.

Recently, a BJP activist, M. Gurunadham, had lodged a complaint with the Machavaram police against one G. Subramanyam, who had deceived him by promising IHRC jobs.

“Subramanyam, who claimed to be an associate of Avinash, took Rs. 3 lakh from me, offering the post of vice-chairman of the IHRC. But, he was not to be seen later and even threatened to foist false cases against me,” Gurunadham said.

The Machavaram police, who launched a manhunt for the accused, traced Subramanyam’s vehicle. They reportedly picked up a few persons and are questioning them.

Speaking to The Hindu on Monday, City Police Commissioner A.B. Venkateswara Rao said there was no such organisation called IHRC.

“A search has been launched for the accused, and police are verifying the details of both the complainant and the accused in the case,” Mr. Rao said. “Tricksters are trying to woo the gullible public and youth in the name of non-existent organisations. We request unemployed youth not to fall into fraudsters’ trap,” Krishna District Superintendent of Police G. Vijay Kumar said.

There is no organisation called IHRC, says City police chief A.B. Venkateswara Rao