Real estate businessman held for passports under fake identities

Gachibowli police have arrested Mothukupalli Lakshmikant Reddy, 55, a real estate businessman, for allegedly obtaining at least five Indian passports since 1997 under different names and dates of birth. He had travelled to 46 countries using the passports.

The fraud was uncovered by the US Consulate in Hyderabad in December 2025 during a visa application, where he used names including Muddannolla Lakshmikant and Medha Prasoon Kumar Reddy. The consulate lodged a complaint in March 2026. Police said a residence certificate used for one passport was fake.

Police seized forged documents, an iPhone, and an iPad. Reddy was produced before a magistrate for judicial remand. A special team from IT, cybercrime, and detective departments is investigating. Police will seek his custody to probe the role of travel agents who helped obtain multiple passports.