Former Minister Vidadala Rajini Accused of Extortion

Vijayawada: YSRC leader and former minister Vidadala Rajini and IAS officer Palle Joshua extorted Rs 2.20 crore by threating the management of Sri Lakshmi Balaji Stone Crusher at Yedlapadu in Palnadu district, according to the sleuths of Vigilance and Enforcement wing.

The sleuths confirmed that the former minister took Rs 2 crore, Joshua took Rs 10 lakh and Rajini's PA another Rs 10 lakh. The ED officials suggested that criminal cases be registered against all the accused and disciplinary action should also be initiated against Joshua as per the provisions in the IAS services.

The ED submitted its report to the Andhra Pradesh government, stating that on September 4, 2020, Rajani's PA Ramakrishna reached the stone crushing unit and informed them that the MLA wants to speak to the management. On meeting Rajini, she demanded Rs 5 crore from the management to allow the unit to function.

After a few days, Palle Joshua who was working as the Regional Vigilance and Enforcement officer in Guntur district, also conducted inspection of the crushing unit and asked them to pay a penalty of Rs 50 crore stating there were many violations in setting it up.

Later, he threatened of seizing the crushing unit if they did not pay the amount. Joshua even called the management to his office and asked for settling the issue at the earliest.

With pressure from Joshua mounting by the day, the management of Sri Lakshmi Balaji Stone Crusher unit shelled out Rs 2 crore to Vidadala Rajini and Rs 10 lakh each to her PA and Joshua.

According to the ED officials, the former minister misused her power and strict action needs to be initiated against all the accused.