New Twist in Nizamabad Encounter: Fact-Finding Panel Claims Riyaz Killed in Custody; ‘Encounter Drama’ to Hide Fake Notes Scam

A fact-finding committee investigating the alleged encounter of Nizamabad rowdy sheeter Riyaz has made startling revelations, claiming that the incident was not an encounter but a case of custodial death. The panel suspects that the encounter was staged to conceal a fake currency racket and insists that Riyaz had no role in the killing of Constable Pramod.

According to the committee’s report, Riyaz was employed as a recovery agent for a private finance company. During the seizure of a scooty from a borrower named Asif, he reportedly discovered ₹3 lakh in counterfeit currency. Riyaz allegedly circulated the fake notes by exchanging them for digital UPI transfers. When Asif learned of this, he allegedly threatened Riyaz, demanding both his vehicle and the money back, warning of dire consequences if his demands were not met.

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Seeking help, Riyaz approached Constable Pramod, who took him to a senior police officer. The officer allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹1 lakh to protect Riyaz from Asif’s gang. Unable to pay, Riyaz reportedly became an unintended pawn in a larger trap to expose the fake currency network. Once Asif realized this, he fled, suspecting that Riyaz had become an informant.

The committee states that on October 17, Riyaz and Constable Pramod met secretly to discuss the matter at a location arranged by the police. However, Asif’s gang allegedly ambushed them, killing Pramod, while Riyaz managed to escape. Locals have questioned why Asif, who reportedly suffered only minor injuries, was immediately shifted to a Hyderabad hospital under heavy police escort.

The committee further accused the police of prematurely declaring Riyaz responsible for Pramod’s murder without any formal investigation. It claimed that no photographic or video evidence was collected from the crime scene. Riyaz’s wife, mother, and two minor children were allegedly detained illegally for two days, during which the women were subjected to physical and sexual torture, and the children were reportedly beaten and humiliated.

The fact-finding team alleged that after Riyaz’s arrest, he was never produced before a magistrate and was brutally tortured in custody, leading to his death. To cover up the custodial killing, police allegedly fabricated an encounter narrative, claiming that Riyaz was shot dead while trying to escape. The report also noted that the police failed to produce Riyaz’s scooter or the alleged weapon used in the murder.

The committee members demanded that the Telangana High Court order a CBI inquiry into the case, stating that only an independent investigation could expose the truth behind what they termed a “fake encounter designed to mask a larger fake currency scandal.”