Praveen Chikoti’s three security guards detained in Lal Darwaza

HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad Police Commissioner’s Task Force on Sunday detained three private security guards working for city-based gambler and casino king Chikkoti Praveen near Sri Simhavahini Mahankali Temple in Lal Darwaza. Praveen was about to enter the temple with his private security guards on the occasion of Bonalu festivities when the team from South Zone police detained the gunmen.

According to police, his personal security tried to enter the temple with a gun. The police detained them to inquire about gun licenses.

Speaking to the media after the detention, Praveen said, "I went inside the temple to offer prayers. My three private security guards who have weapon licenses were standing outside. They were suddenly bundled up into a police vehicle and taken to the station. I called up the officers and they replied that their gun licenses are being verified.”

“I have been moving with gunmen for several years, no one questioned me or enquired about it. All of a sudden the police pounced on the security guards and in spite of giving an explanation they took them away,” he claimed said that he was ready to face the challenge if someone was intentionally targeting him for unknown reasons.

Praveen was recently booked by the Siddipet Police for taking out a rally in Gajwel after the incident of defiling a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Tension prevailed in Gajwel after an alleged desecration of the statue.