Have Two More Individuals Been Arrested in the Telangana CM Relief Fund Misappropriation Case?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On September 21, Hyderabad police made further arrests in the CMRF misappropriation case, bringing the total to 13. The accused fraudulently deposited relief cheques into personal accounts. This incident reveals the urgent need for stringent oversight in government relief funds to protect genuine beneficiaries.
Key Takeaways
- Two more suspects arrested in the CMRF case.
- Total arrests have reached 13 individuals.
- Fraudulent beneficiaries exploited government funds.
- Importance of safeguarding relief funds for genuine victims.
- Case highlights need for transparency in government processes.
Hyderabad, Sep 21 (NationPress) The police force in Hyderabad apprehended two additional suspects on Sunday related to a criminal scheme that misappropriated Rs 8.71 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).
The Jubilee Hills Police detained Pagadala Srinivasa Rao, aged 23, and Yasa Venkateshwarulu, aged 50, both of whom were identified as fraudulent beneficiaries.
This brings the total number of arrests in the CMRF case to 13.
Authorities revealed that the suspects illicitly directed cheques approved by the CMRF into their personal bank accounts and then withdrew the funds. This act was part of a broader criminal conspiracy that resulted in misappropriating sanctioned funds for their personal gain, thereby deceiving the government and denying actual victims/beneficiaries their entitled support.
The detained parties confessed their roles in these offenses voluntarily. Hailing from Khammam district, they were presented before a court for judicial remand.
Earlier, on September 19, law enforcement arrested seven imposters who misrepresented themselves as legitimate beneficiaries, defrauding both the government and genuine applicants entitled to relief.
The suspects were discovered to have fraudulently deposited sanctioned CMRF cheques into personal accounts and subsequently withdrew the funds.
According to K. Venkateshwara Reddy, the Station House Officer at Jubilee Hills Police Station, the seven arrested, including two women, are from Godavarikhani in Pedapally district.
These arrests are linked to five cases filed since the previous year, with the accused charged under sections 409, 417, 419, 467, and 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 66(C) of the Information Technology Act.
In July, four individuals involved in the same case were arrested: Jogula Naresh Kumar, 42, Balagoni Venkatesh, 37, Korlapati Vamshi, 24, and Pulipaka Omkar, 34, who had conspired to misappropriate funds from the CMRF.
According to police reports, post the 2023 Assembly elections and the defeat of the BRS government, Naresh Kumar, who worked for one of the former ministers, took possession of 230 sanctioned but undistributed cheques.
Allegedly, 19 cheques meant for applicants who had not followed up were deposited in forged bank accounts with similar names at the SBI branch on Road No. 5, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.
The main suspect identified 19 cheques to be deposited into accounts at the SBI’s Jubilee Hills branch, utilizing forged details to facilitate the fraud.
Point of View
We remain committed to impartial reporting. The ongoing investigation into the CMRF misappropriation case underscores the importance of accountability in government processes, particularly in handling funds meant for those in need. We advocate for transparency to ensure that genuine beneficiaries receive the aid they deserve.
NationPress
21/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF)?
The Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) is a government initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to individuals affected by disasters or other emergencies.
How many total arrests have been made in the CMRF case?
To date, a total of 13 arrests have been made in connection with the CMRF misappropriation case.
What are the legal charges against the accused?
The accused are charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act, including sections related to criminal conspiracy and fraud.
What measures can be taken to prevent similar frauds in the future?
Implementing stricter checks and balances, thorough verification processes, and regular audits can help prevent fraudulent activities in government relief funds.
Where were the arrested individuals from?
The recently arrested individuals are from Khammam district and Godavarikhani in Pedapally district.
