Did Hyderabad Police Just Arrest 7 More in CM Relief Fund Fraud?
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Synopsis
Hyderabad police have recently apprehended seven additional suspects involved in the embezzlement of funds from the Telangana Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. This case highlights a serious issue of fraud where both fake beneficiaries and legitimate claimants were impacted, raising questions about the integrity of relief fund distribution.
Key Takeaways
- Seven additional arrests made in the CMRF fraud case.
- Rs 8.71 lakh misappropriated from the fund.
- Accused include both fake beneficiaries and genuine claimants.
- Charges filed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code.
- Police efforts ongoing to recover funds and apprehend absconding suspects.
Hyderabad, Sep 19 (NationPress) The Hyderabad police have apprehended an additional seven individuals for the embezzlement of Rs 8.71 lakh from the Telangana Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).
Authorities reported that the suspects were impersonating legitimate beneficiaries, defrauding both the government and genuine claimants entitled to the relief.
The accused illicitly arranged for the sanctioned CMRF cheques to be transferred into their personal accounts and subsequently withdrew the funds, resulting in misappropriation of the amount.
The Jubilee Hills Police Station SHO, K. Venkateshwara Reddy, mentioned on Friday that all seven suspects, including two women, hail from Godavarikhani in Pedapally district.
The individuals arrested are Potla Ravi, 46, Janagama Nagaraju, 40, Mateti Bhasker, 33, Dharmaram Raju, 50, Kampalli Santhosh, 35, Chityala Laxmi, 65, and Asampelli Laxmi. They were detained on Thursday and presented before the court for judicial remand.
This latest arrest relates to five cases filed since last year. The suspects face charges under sections 409, 417, 419, 467, and 120(B) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as Section 66(C) of the Information Technology Act.
The police disclosed that the arrested individuals confessed to their participation in these crimes.
The SHO also indicated that additional suspects have been identified but remain at large. Efforts are underway to recover the misappropriated funds.
In July, four other suspects were arrested in relation to the same case. Jogula Naresh Kumar, 42, Balagoni Venkatesh, 37, Korlapati Vamshi, 24, and Pulipaka Omkar, 34, were found guilty of conspiring to misappropriate CMRF funds.
The police officer reported that following the 2023 Assembly elections and the defeat of the BRS government, Kumar, who was employed in a minister's office, seized 230 sanctioned but undistributed cheques.
Nineteen of those cheques, which were issued to applicants who had not followed up, were allegedly deposited into forged bank accounts with similar names at the SBI branch on Road No. 5 in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad.
The primary suspect identified these 19 cheques and deposited them into bank accounts at the SBI’s Jubilee Hills branch using fraudulent details.
Point of View
This incident concerning the Telangana Chief Minister’s Relief Fund underscores a significant breach of public trust. As authorities work to address fraudulent activities, it is crucial to ensure that genuine beneficiaries receive the support they need. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government relief initiatives.
NationPress
13/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund?
The Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) is a government initiative designed to provide financial assistance to individuals affected by natural disasters, medical emergencies, and other urgent needs.
How much money was misappropriated in this case?
A total of Rs 8.71 lakh was misappropriated from the Telangana Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
What charges have been filed against the accused?
The accused have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sections 409, 417, 419, 467, and 120(B), as well as Section 66(C) of the Information Technology Act.
How many people have been arrested in this case?
So far, a total of eleven individuals have been arrested in connection with the fraud case involving the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
What actions are being taken to recover the funds?
The police are actively pursuing other suspects and are making efforts to recover the misappropriated funds.
