‘Millionaire’ cops arrested for corruption in Telagnana

Hyderabad: Two “millionaire” police officials, involved in massive corruption and running a private money lending business, have been arrested in Telangana.

An assistant sub-inspector of police Mohan Reddy was arrested in Karimnagar district for running a private money lending business with the backing of many policemen. Anti-Corruption Bureau officials also arrested an Assistant Commissioner of Police N Sanjeev Rao in Hyderabad. Both are believed to have amassed assets worth millions of rupees

The assets of Rao include 200 acres of lands.

With two sensational cases in quick succession, the state Anti-Corruption Bureau is now planning to launch a clean up drive in the police department with another 25 tainted officers of deputy superintendent rank on its radar.

According to investigation by the Karimnagar district police, Mohan Reddy was running a well-organised money lending business and fleecing people. He used to lend money against a collateral of a house, land or other properties and in case of borrowers failing to pay back, he used to seize and occupy the property.

For his operation he was using his official to threaten and prevent his victims from lodging a police complaint. Many other policemen posted at different places in the district are suspected to be his partner in the business. The victims were unable to file a complaint in any of the police stations.

The racket came to light when one of the victims — a principal of a school — committed suicide after borrowing Rs5 million from Mohan Reddy and left behind a note blaming the policeman for his death. It forced the

district superintendent of police Joel Davis to order a probe.

The investigations resulted in opening a Pandora’s box and ASI Reddy was arrested and put under suspension for indulging in illegal activities and misusing his position.

Victims of his operations include the MLA from Peddapally constituency, D Manohar Reddy, who had borrowed Rs30 million from the tainted policeman and paid back Rs18 million as interest.

Karimnagar district police officials investigating the case say that ill-gotten money through corrupt practices was used for lending and those involved in it had amassed properties worth hundreds of millions.

Such was the clout of the syndicate that Mohan Reddy had also invested money in Telugu film industry.

The second case of arrest and suspension of Sanjeeva Rao, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kukatpally division in the city, has also left many in the force stunned as the official was found in possession of huge properties, including a duplex house in Hyderabad, a farm house on the city outskirts, several commercial properties in Hyderabad and Warangal and nearly 200 acres of land at different places.