Four accused in CM Relief Fund cheque fraud case sent to judicial custody in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, March 28 (IANS) A city court has sent four individuals, including a contract employee in former Health Minister T. Harish Rao’s office, to judicial custody for alleged misappropriation of Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) cheques. The accused were arrested after a farmer filed a complaint which led to an investigation by the Jubilee Hills police.

The arrested individuals include Jogula Naresh Kumar, a contract data entry operator in Harish Rao’s office, Balagoni Venkatesh Goud, an attendee in the Telangana legislative assembly, Korlapati Vamshi, a car driver, and Omkar, a resident of Godavarikhani. It has been reported that another accused, a woman, is currently absconding.

The complaint was lodged by P. Ravi Nayak, a farmer from Medak district, who alleged that the accused embezzled Rs 87,500 that was sanctioned to him under the CMRF. Nayak had applied for financial assistance after incurring expenses of Rs 5 lakh for his wife’s treatment following a snake bite in 2022, but unfortunately, she passed away during treatment.

According to the FIR, Naresh Kumar allegedly gave two cheques meant for Ravi Nayak to Vamshi and Venkatesh Goud in exchange for a commission. Omkar, pretending to be Ravi Nayak, assisted in encashing the cheques. The police are expected to request custody of the accused for further interrogation to determine if they were involved in similar cases of fund misappropriation.

The case sheds light on the alleged misuse of CMRF funds, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the distribution of relief funds meant for those in need. Authorities are taking strict action to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure justice is served in this case of financial wrongdoing.