The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered a disproportionate-assets case against Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) additional director Nallaguntla Yadagiri Rao after searches at 10 locations identified properties and valuables with an estimated market value of more than Rs 20 crore.
The searches were conducted by the ACB’s Rangareddy Range team at Rao’s residence in Uppal, his office, bank lockers and properties suspected to be linked to his relatives, associates and alleged benamis. The locations covered Hyderabad, Suryapet and adjoining areas.
According to the details reported by the ACB, investigators identified 12 plots in Hyderabad, Suryapet and Nalgonda districts. They also found two flats in Uppal, a G+3 building with a penthouse in the same area, a house in Suryapet district and a commercial shop in Uppal.
The assets listed during the searches included six gold ornaments weighing 1.79 kg, three kg of silver ornaments, two four-wheelers, including a Toyota Fortuner, and three two-wheelers. The bureau also recorded household articles valued at Rs 29 lakh, electronic gadgets worth Rs 7 lakh and bank balances totalling Rs 32.3 lakh.
The ACB 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 exceed Rs 20 crore. The difference between document value and estimated market value will form part of the bureau’s continuing assessment of the assets, based on the information available in the searches.
The bureau 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 alleged that Rao amassed assets through corrupt practices and dubious means. These allegations will be subject to the investigation and legal proceedings.
A case has been registered against Rao under Sections 13(1)(b) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The provisions relate to possession of disproportionate assets by a public servant and the associated offence. The ACB said Rao would be produced before the principal special judge for SPE and ACB cases in Hyderabad for judicial remand.
The searches also place scrutiny on the administrative systems surrounding MEPMA, a state urban poverty-alleviation programme that operates in municipal areas. The ACB’s action concerns the alleged assets of an individual official; the supplied report does not allege wrongdoing by the mission as an institution or establish any link between the identified assets and MEPMA’s programme funds.
The bureau said verification of additional assets was still in progress. It has appealed to members of the public to report instances of bribery or demands for illegal gratification by public servants through its toll-free helpline, 1064, or WhatsApp number 9440446106. The ACB also directed complainants to its Telangana ACB Facebook account and X handle, @TelanganaACB, and said the identities and personal details of victims and complainants would be kept confidential.
