Brother-in-Law of Former Andhra Minister Rajini Arrested in Extortion Scandal
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Synopsis
The Anti-Corruption Bureau has arrested Vidadala Gopi, brother-in-law of former Andhra Pradesh minister Vidadala Rajini, in an extortion case. Gopi is accused of colluding with others to extort money from a stone-crushing company.
Key Takeaways
- Vidadala Gopi arrested by ACB in extortion case.
- Former minister Vidadala Rajini implicated in the scandal.
- Allegations include extorting Rs 2.2 crore.
- Rajini claims allegations are politically motivated.
- Investigation ongoing by the Central Intelligence Unit of ACB.
Hyderabad, April 24 (NationPress) The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Andhra Pradesh Police apprehended Vidadala Gopi, brother-in-law of former minister Vidadala Rajini and a leader of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), in connection with an extortion case on Thursday.
ACB officials detained him close to Wipro Circle in the Gachibowli region of Hyderabad. He was subsequently transported to the Gachibowli Police Station.
Gopi is set to be taken to Vijayawada, where he will appear before a court.
Last month, the ACB filed a case against former home minister Vidadala Rajini, along with suspended IPS officer Palle Joshua and two others, for allegedly extorting Rs 2.2 crore from the owners of Sri Lakshmi Balaji Stone Crushers in Palnadu district's Edlapadu during the previous YSRCP administration.
Rajini is named as the principal accused, alongside the then Regional Vigilance and Enforcement Officer (RVEO) Palle Joshua, her brother-in-law Vidadala Gopi, and her personal assistant Dodda Ramakrishna. They are accused of abuse of power, criminal misconduct, and extortion.
Nallapaneni Chalapathi Rao, the managing partner of the stone-crushing firm, claimed that Rajini conspired with the other accused to extract a bribe of Rs 2 crore for herself, while Joshua and Gopi allegedly extorted another Rs 10 lakh each.
Chalapathi Rao further alleged that Rajini and Joshua initially demanded Rs 5 crore to permit his company's operations to persist.
Following the complaint, the Vigilance and Enforcement department carried out an inquiry and reportedly submitted a report to the state government on December 3, 2024.
On February 18, the government authorized the ACB to investigate Joshua and Ramakrishna. Last month, the government clarified that since Rajini was serving as an MLA during the alleged misconduct, her actions did not fall under the scope of official duties, rendering Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act inapplicable.
Based on the V&E report, the ACB registered a First Information Report (FIR) for bribing a public servant, corruption, extortion, and criminal conspiracy.
The Central Intelligence Unit of the ACB is currently probing the matter.
Rajini has dismissed the allegations as unfounded, describing them as the TDP-led coalition's “political vendetta.”
She accused TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, who departed the YSRCP just prior to the 2024 Assembly elections, of fabricating the case out of personal animosity.
Rajini has submitted a petition for anticipatory bail in the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
