Hyderabad, Feb. 9 -- A businessman from Saroornagar has lodged a complaint with the police, alleging that he was targeted by a group of individuals posing as alleged journalists, who demanded money and threatened to defame him.

The complainant, Gangishetti Janardhan, was constructing a new house in Saroornagar and received a call from a person claiming to be a reporter from a newspaper, demanding Rs 60,000. Later, several others, introduced themselves as news reporters and demanded an additional Rs 1 lakh.

The accused allegedly threatened to file complaints with GHMC and publish defamatory news if the money was not paid. Janardhan paid Rs 50,000 to one B Sravan, but the harassment continued. On February 6, the accused visited his house,...