Self-styled techie lands behind bars in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: Sanjay Kumar Gurade, 41, a self-styled techie, was arrested by the city police on charges of cheating public by claiming himself to be a robotics expert.

Originally known as Byri Ajith Kumar Reddy, a native of Hanamkonda in Warangal district, he donned the avatar of a robotics expert though he studied B Sc and B Tech.

In Visakhapatnam, he used to teach physics by tying up with several private college managements at Bhanu Nagar. Using his communication skills, Sanjay Kumar got connected with several colleges to run classes. Recently, he unveiled a plan that he was going to introduce STEM education for which he sought investment from his friends and well-wishers.

Based on which, Syam Venkata Appala and others invested Rs 1.65 crore with him. With the invested amount, he fled Visakhapatnam in December 8, 2018 and remained incommunicado for the last 10 months.

However, based on a tip-off, the city CID police landed in Hyderabad and nabbed him from his residence at L B Nagar area and producing him in the court after which he was sent to judicial custody and housed in the Central Jail, Visakhapatnam since October 2.

Recently, he has been teaching under the banner of Vasista classes at Rama Talkies before he fled Visakhapatnam. He presented himself as an engineer from the US.

It is learnt that he never used his bank account or Aadhaar card and always made transactions in cash to remain out of the radar of police.

He used to shuttle between Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad by flight. Since he never revealed his Aadhaar card or bank account details to anyone, it proved to be a tough task for police to trace him.

The accused has not only cheated the educationists and students but also AP NRIs. Victims can contact CID Regional office at Pineapple Colony by dialling 9440700856.