The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau has identified assets with an estimated market value of more than Rs 20 crore in searches linked to Nallaguntla Yadagiri Rao, additional director of the Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA), officials said on Tuesday.
The ACB’s Rangareddy Range team conducted simultaneous searches at 10 locations, including Rao’s residence in Uppal, his office, bank lockers and properties allegedly connected to his relatives, associates and suspected benamis. The searches covered locations in Hyderabad, Suryapet and surrounding districts.
According to the ACB, officials identified 12 plots in Hyderabad, Suryapet and Nalgonda districts, two flats in Uppal, a G+3 building with a penthouse in Uppal, a house in Suryapet district and a commercial shop in Uppal. The properties were examined as part of a case relating to alleged disproportionate assets.
The searches also found movable assets, including six gold ornaments weighing 1.79 kg and silver ornaments weighing three kg. Investigators identified two four-wheelers, including a Toyota Fortuner, three two-wheelers, household articles valued at Rs 29 lakh, electronic gadgets worth Rs 7 lakh and bank balances totalling Rs 32.3 lakh.
An ACB official said the document value of the properties and assets identified so far was approximately Rs 4.75 crore, while their estimated market value was understood to be more than Rs 20 crore. The bureau said verification of additional assets was still in progress.
The agency is also examining Rao’s investments in and ownership of an electrical transmission equipment company and a rubber company operating in the city. The ACB has registered a case against him under Sections 13(1)(b) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
In an official statement, the bureau alleged that Rao had amassed assets through corrupt practices and dubious means. The allegation will be subject to proceedings before the competent court. The ACB said Rao would be produced before the principal special judge for SPE and ACB cases in Hyderabad for judicial remand.
MEPMA is a Telangana government mission focused on eliminating poverty in municipal areas. The case brings the functioning of a public institution serving urban communities into the scope of a criminal investigation, although the ACB’s asset assessment and verification process is not yet complete.
The bureau appealed to members of the public to report demands for bribes or illegal gratification by public servants. Complaints can be lodged through its toll-free helpline, 1064, or WhatsApp number 9440446106. The ACB said the identities and personal details of complainants and victims would be kept confidential.
The immediate next steps are the judicial-remand proceedings and the ACB’s continuing verification of additional properties, investments and other assets linked to the case.
