Rs 16 crore anomaly in cash seized during Telangana polls

Hyderabad: There is a discrepancy of Rs 16.99 crore in the amount of money seized by the Telangana police during a raid conducted ahead of the state elections, and the figure mentioned by the income tax department as seized in their raid on the same premises.

The police booked a case in which it mentioned seizing Rs 17.50 crore in cash meant for distribution to voters. The income-tax department, however, has mentioned that '51 lakh in cash was seized. The Chief Election Officer has ordered an inquiry.

After the TS Assembly elections, an independent review of cases involving seizing of unaccounted cash during the elections was undertaken.

Cases booked across 31 districts falling under various police commissionerates and superintendents of police were studied.

In one particular case registered in Kosgi police station in Mahabub Nagar district, a discrepancy of '16.99 crore has come to light between the amounts seized as recorded by the police and the I-T department. Official records issued by the office of Mahabub Nagar Superintendent of Police (a copy of which is in the possession of this newspaper), said, “At Mirzapur village, accused Patnam Narender Reddy (TRS MLA who contested against Congress working president A. Revanth Reddy) and his relative Jagannath Reddy dumped money '17.50 crore in the farmhouse of Jagannath Reddy in order to distribute money to voters to get support in form of votes in Telangana Assembly election 2018. Subsequently I-T officials raided the farmhouse and seized net cash and said '51 lakh were seized from the farmhouse. A case has been registered in 194 /18 u/s 188, 17 (e) of IPC.”

The case needs attention because police said they found '17.50 crore cash in the farmhouse of Jagannath Reddy and booked a case. An FIR (Cr. No. 194/18) has been issued for the same. However, when officers of the I-T department raided the farmhouse they found and seized '51 lakh.

There is no clarity about the '16.99 crore. Was it returned to the party concerned or deposited in the court?

The Chief Election Officer has ordered an inquiry into the matter. In a letter dated March 7, 2019, Chief Election Officer of TS, Dr Rajat Kumar, has asked the additional director general of police (law & order), and the Additional Director Income Tax to investigate.

“The officer is requested to inquire the matter thoroughly and furnish a factual report in the matter immediately,” the CEO wrote.

It may be noted that the accused TRS MLA, Patnam Narender Reddy, is the brother of former TS transport minister P. Mahender Reddy.

The ex-minister is among four former cabinet members who lost in the recent state elections.