Officers of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on September 12 (Thursday) raided the properties of V.G. Venkat Reddy, former Director of Mines and Geology (DMG) and in-charge Managing Director (MD) of A.P. Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC).
It also raided the offices of M/s GCKC Projects and Works Private Limited, M/s Prathima Infrastructures Private Limited, and other companies.
Based on the report submitted by the incumbent Commissioner and DMG, wherein it was alleged that Mr. Venkat Reddy had violated the APMDC rules in tenders and operations of sand mining, the Central Investigation Unit (CIU) of the ACB registered a case under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, Section 120 (b) of the IPC, and the Mines (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 against the accused.
During investigation, the ACB teams inspected the offices of the DMG and the Mines and Geology offices, and sand reaches in all districts. The investigation officers verified the documents and examined the officers and staff concerned, the ACB said in a release.
Mr. Venkat Reddy had allegedly abused his official position and fraudulently allowed M/s JPVL, M/s Prathima, M/s GCKC and other firms to misappropriate government funds.
The accused had allegedly conspired with the company managements, released bank guarantees to the tune of โน120 crore under his control in violation of the prescribed procedure, which resulted in criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of government money of about โน2,566 crore, the ACB alleged.
The accused had violated the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court, and caused heavy loss to the State exchequer, the investigation officers alleged.
Investigation also revealed that a few private agencies had taken up mining activities, violating the excavation boundaries, permitted depth and carried out their operations without obtaining environmental clearances, the ACB officers alleged.
The raids were continuing at different locations when reports last came in.
Published – September 13, 2024 03:56 am IST
