3 persons who cheated people to the tune of Rs. 8 cr held in Ghatkesar

Hyderabad: The Ghatkesar police along with the Malkajgiri special operations team (SOT) arrested three persons accused in a cheating case. The three have been identified as Sajja Srinivasa Rao, Sajja Laxmi, and Kolli Aravind Kumar. A case has been registered under various sections of the IPC and the Financial Establishment Act 1999.

The gang targeted people belonging to Golla, Kurimi, and other SC, ST, and BC communities for whom the state government had launched several welfare schemes. One of the government schemes is the Telangana Distribution Scheme, a subsidised sheep distribution scheme introduced by the state government. According to the scheme, of the Rs. 1.25 lakhs cost per unit, the government provides 75% of the cost and 25% is borne by the beneficiary.

Sajja Srinivasa Rao, who was working as a junior veterinary officer, targeted shepherds and farmers who were eligible for the scheme but did not have their share of the money, i.e., 25% of the marginal amount. He used to provide the funds and after the beneficiaries get the sheep or cattle, he would sell them in the open market at a higher price.

To arrange for the funds to be given to eligible beneficiaries, the accused collected money from innocent persons under the guise of deposits. The gang had collected about Rs. 8 crores from several people. Thereafter, eight months ago, Sajja Srinivasa Rao left his job and he, along with his wife Sajja Laxmi, went absconding.

In this case, one more accused, Anil Kumar who is the brother-in-law of Sajja Srinivasa Rao, is yet to be arrested.