Police rule out financial motive in NRI businessman Jayaram’s murder

Did the key accused in businessman Chigurupati Jayaram’s murder case, Rakesh Reddy, divert the attention of investigators by giving false information on Rs 4.5 crore hand loan given to Jayaram, who had huge assets in India and abroad? After two days of grilling Rakesh Reddy, the police came to the conclusion that there was no financial motive behind. Meanwhile, the investigators received fresh complaints against Rakesh Reddy for his illegal activities and taking people for a ride by telling them that he was doing real estate business. One Rajkumar lodged a complaint with police stating that Rakesh Reddy cheated him by taking money from him for investment in real estate and later not returning the money. On the second consecutive day on Thursday, the Jubilee Hills police questioned at least seven persons including Rakesh Reddy, his associate Srinivasulu, Jayaram’s niece Shika Choudhary and Rakesh Reddy’s close friends. While they questioned Rakesh Reddy about his financial transactions, lifestyle, illegal activities,  previous cases registered at different places and his contacts with some of persons associated with Tollywood, a team of police officials questioned Shikha Choudhary on her relationship with Rakesh Reddy and trespassing into her uncle Jayaram’s residence after his death. After collecting preliminary evidences and questioning more than 30 persons, the investigators  suspect that Rakesh Reddy had no financial deals with Jayaram. Based on information obtained from Rakesh Reddy’s friends including a history sheeter and junior artiste, cops  came to the conclusion that Jayaram was made a victim and the accused might have indulged in trying to extort money from him by confining him in Rakesh Reddy ‘s residence in Jubilee Hills. Meanwhile, the investigators also grilled Shika Choudhary for more than five hours and the questioning went on till 8 pm.  It was reported that the investigators collected details about her relationship with Jayaram, education, her work tenure in  Jayaram’s companies including Express TV, her association with Rakesh Reddy and her sudden visit to Jayaram’s residence after his death. “I gave all details to the investigator in connection with the case. They asked me to come for questioning if necessary in future. I will co-operate with them,” Shikha Choudhary said. Trespass case against Shikha Choudhary: Investigators questioned Shika Choudhary about the file that she has taken away from Jayaram’s house. They also asked her to explain the new project report that was prepared by her based on instructions of Jayaram. The police, basing on a complaint, are likely to register a case of trespass against Shikha Choudhary. The investigators, who grilled Rakesh Reddy and his friend Srinivasulur, have reconstructed the scene of offence by taking the accused to the spot.

By Mouli Mareedu

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Were Nayeem and CO’s illegal properties worth Rs 1,000 cr?

The sources further stated that the Income Tax officials reportedly collected details from Nayeem’s wife Haseena Begum regarding illegal properties located in 23 locations

Have slain gangster Mohammed Nayeemuddin alias Nayeem and his benamis amassed illegal assets worth Rs 1,000 crore ? The Income Tax Department (IT) officials, who verified the documents of movable and immovable assets of Nayeem and his family members including benamies, believe it to be approximately worth hundreds of crores of rupees. The officials, however, stated that they are yet to obtain some more information from the Sub Registrar Officers (SROs) in connection with the documents that were seized by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) during the investigation into Nayeem’s illegal activities. Sources told Express that the benami transactions prohibition unit of the Income Tax (IT) department is understood to have done a proper investigation on amassing movable and immovable assets by Nayeem and these properties were registered in the name of Nayeem’s wife Haseena Begum and relative Ahela Begum. The officials also collected details of Nayeem’s associates including Sheshanna, who is still absconding as per police, in connection with the illegal assets. The sources further stated that the Income Tax officials reportedly collected details from Nayeem’s wife Haseena Begum regarding illegal properties located in 23 locations.  The officials further stated that they served notices to Nayeem’s benamis.  “On the pretext of Assembly elections, revenue and sub registrar officials delayed in submitting Nayeem’s illegal property details.  As per the current estimates,  Nayeem amassed illegal properties worth  Rs 800 to 1,000 crore,” sources said.

By Mouli Mareedu

ACB submits Purushotham Reddy's benami assets details to IT, ED

Mouli Mareedu @ Hyderabad

The Anti-Corruption Bureau has reportedly collected documents pertaining to benami assets of suspended HMDA director (planning) Katta Purushotham Reddy and submitted the same to Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate. The ACB registered cases against Reddy nine days ago for amassing wealth. He and his family members, including his brother-in-law Srinivas Reddy who is an alleged benami, have been absconding since then. Sources told Express that the officer was first accused of amassing properties beyond his income in 2009. However, that case was closed following legal proceedings. "A fresh case was filed recently as after the case, Purushotham Reddy resumed amassing wealth and invested the same in the names of his close relatives who are into real estate business in the city and surrounding areas," said sources. Sources added that the officials have collected and analysed the financial transactions made by the accused, his call data and other documents. All the documents seized have been submitted to Income Tax (IT) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) for further verification. "The ACB officials have found and seized crores of rupees worth movable and immovable assets belonging to Puruthotham Reddy and his family members. The IT officials will find out whether these seized assets comes under IT returns of accused officer and his family members. Based on reports, the IT department officials will proceed investigating the case under benami Act,'' sources said. A few days ago, the ACB conducted raids on the residences and offices of Purushotham Reddy and Srinivas Reddy. Notices have been served to the accused to surrender before the agency while a look out notice has been issued to immigration officials.

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TS police halts criminal survey after HC rap

Mouli Mareedu @ Hyderabad

With the High Court pulling up the State police for its Sakala Nerastula Samagra Survey, a comprehensive collection of data related to criminals, it has decided to stall collection of details of criminals, in what appears to be a major setback to the police department. The exercise of collecting personal details and geo-tagging of criminals and their family members will not be carried out henceforth. The exercise, launched on January 18, with a view to making the state free from crime, was conceived by Director-General of Police M Mahendar Reddy. In a fresh circular on Thursday, the DGP said that the survey of collecting details of criminals ceased to be in operation. "Supervisory officers at all levels shall inform all the field officers working under their charge and ensure strict compliance of these instructions without fail,'' he said in the circular. Meanwhile, the way the survey was being conducted and the details of the offenders being collected have drawn a lot of criticism from various quarters. After the TS COP mobile was launched, the TS police took up the exercise of enumerating and geo-tagging all professional and repeat offenders and upload the entire database of criminals to the TS COP mobile application. However, several low-level police personnel have violated rules and regulations by abusing and humiliating offenders while collecting their personal data. On Wednesday, the High Court remarked that the state police violated the rules by collecting personal information of criminals on the pretext of survey

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Overhauling: IPS officials’ transfers, promotions soon

Mouli Mareedu

The state government is likely to issue an order soon in transferring dozens of IPS officers and granting promotions to a few seniors. This is the first time such shuffle will take place after M Mahendar Reddy took charge as Director General of Police (DGP). Sources told Express that a list of IPS officers was prepared months ago. The list is understood to have revised several times keeping in mind circumstances prevailing in districts and in Hyderabad city. On Friday evening, the names of IPS officers who were in earlier list, was again revised by top officials for considering some senior officers for Hyderabad Police Commissioner and as heads of other important wings in the police department. The existing Police Commissioners of Cyberabad are likely to be transferred out. 1993-batch officer Sandeep Shandilya would be promoted as Additional DGP. For Hyderabad CP post, at least five senior officers are learnt to be making sincere efforts. Keeping in view the law and order issues in the city and general elections, the top officials would appoint a senior IPS officer as the Commissioner of Hyderabad. Senior officers have also obtained details of IPS officers/Officers on Special Duty (non-IPS officers), who are working as Superintendent of Police in districts. It is also reported that a few young IPS officers are likely to get postings in the city based on their meritorious services in districts.

All eyes set on Hyderabad:  All eyes are on the Hyderabad Police Commissioner post. An additional DGP rank officer would be posted as Hyderabad CP. Reportedly, a number of senior IPS officers are also in race for the post. 

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Police dept seeks Rs 6,000-crore allocation in state budget

If govt agrees, TS police will be the first police dept in India to get such a big fund

Mouli Mareedu @Hyderabad

For the first time, the Telangana police department has estimated their budgetary plans and proposed a Rs 6,000- crore fund allocation in state budget. Senior police officials have reviewed the ongoing initiatives, projects and welfare schemes that are yet to take off, and prepared a comprehensive report on budget and expenditure of the department. Director-general of police M Mahendar Reddy, who called on chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao recently, is understood to have submitted a report seeking Rs 6,000-crore fund to the police department. If the government agrees to police department's official's proposals, the Telangana police will be the first in the country to have such a large fund. "In view of the model police station at Punjagutta standing the second best police station in the country, the senior officials have planned to set up more model police stations in rural and urban areas by equipping them with modern technology,'' a senior officer said. State Police Housing Corporation officials held a meeting on Wednesday to review the status of the ongoing projects in districts. The corporation is constructing buildings for police stations following the formation of new districts in the state. "As many as 300 buildings for new police stations are to be built in districts and in cities. Each one will be on a par with the model police station in terms of infrastructure, amenities, technology, furniture and others. To complete all these projects, the senior officials have proposed a Rs 6,000-crore fund in the state budget which will be presented soon,'' police officials said. The government had allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the police department in the previous budget and the allocation in the new budget is expected to go up by 20 per cent. But, in view of the projects taken up by the department, it has estimated that it will need Rs 6,000 crore. The new proposals will have more funds for police welfare, education of police children, special funds for higher education and others. The senior officials are confidant that the government will approve the estimate and allocate the funds sought. 

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ACB collects data of tainted officers, intensified raids on corrupted staff

Mouli Mareedu 

With a number of complaints against tainted government employees pouring in to the State Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), the agency officials have intensified raids on the officials/employees indulging in demanding and accepting bribes in return of official favours. Sources told Express that the agency officials have obtained data of corrupted employees working in various departments and kept a close vigil on their regular activities. In previous data, a majority of employees working in Revenue, GHMC and police departments topped in demanding bribes from public. In latest complaints received by ACB officials across all districts indicate that some more staff of departments come under scanner of the agency. "In phased manner, the agency officials will crack the whip on corrupted officials/employees working in state government departments based on the data received by the senior officials in districts and capital city of the state. After verifying the details submitted by the complainants and internal intelligence of the agency, the ACB will not hesitate to conduct surprise raids and take stern action as per Prevention of Corruption Act and other relevant sections against the corrupted officers,'' sources said. Since last three months, the agency arrested around 50 accused officers after conducting subsequent raids and seized illegal assets amassed by the officers. A senior officer from the agency explained that the team members in districts and Hyderabad city are trained to handle surprise searches, obtaining information about tainted officers, registering cases and monitoring the legal proceedings to get guilty of trained officers/employees before the court of law. The state ACB is equipped with latest technology in tracking cases of corruption. After creating awareness among the public to approach the ACB officers, the agency has set up a toll free number 1046. Every citizen who is facing problems of irregular activity of government officers/employees demanding bribe amount for doing official favour, they can be reached the ACB by calling to 1046 toll free number. 

Box: trained government staff held accepting bribe

# January 27, 2018: A TSSPDCL (electricity department) lineman B Venkatesh was caught red handed by ACB in Kuntloor of Hayatnagar for accepting bribe of Rs 3,000.

# January 20, 2018: The ACB officials conducted surprise raids on the residence of Irrigation department officer K Shravan Reddy in Medchal and unearthed Rs 5 crore illegal assets.

# January 13, 2018: The agency unearthed Rs 5 crore illegal assets amassed by the Sunkaraneni Ramesh, executive engineer of ITDA Adilabad district in Hyderabad and other places.

# October 12, 2017: The ACB arrested an Assistant Commissioner of Excise department A Srinivas Reddy for procuring Rs 6 crore illegal assets.

# September 27, 2017: The GHMC Assistant Engineer Kuppa Naik was caught red handed while accepting bribe amount of Rs 30,000.

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