Telangana cop who excelled in Intel wing fell prey to corruption

Hyderabad: In 1995, top cop Govindu Narasimha Reddy joined the then AP Intelligence Bureau of a sub-inspector rank. He was made a part of the elite Police Counter Intelligence cell, which was engaged in gathering anti-terror intelligence, and busted several sleeper cells.

Reportedly, as a result of his ‘good performance’, the cop was promoted as Deputy Superintendent of Police and subsequently climbed the ladder to become an Additional SP. However, his shell life as a cop ended when he got sucked into corruption.

Govindu Narasimha Reddy, who served as the Additional Superintendent of Police for Siddipet, was booked by anti-graft officials under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Officers from the Anti Corruption Bureau unearthed properties and chit funds worth Rs 5.2 crore linked to the cop.

How did Siddipet’s ASP, G. Narsimha Reddy, show up on ACB’s radar?

Assistant sub-inspector K Narasimha of Rachakonda commissionerate in Hyderabad set himself on fire November 22 and died later. The ASI had alleged that he was being harassed by the then Balapur Inspector P Saidulu which pushed him to take the extreme step.

Following the tragic death of the ASI, sleuths from the ACB launched an undercover operation to detect illegalities within the Telangana state police department. It was during this probe that the officers stumbled upon the properties owned by Additional SP G. Narsimha Reddy which were disproportionate to his salary. This blew a lid off.

On further inquiry, it was found that the top cop had amassed wealth all through his service before he was booked as the serving Assistant SP at Siddpet. “He looked for ways to earn money, he demanded bribes from the accused as well as the victims in certain cases. The man owns two houses, one at Shaikpet – Hyderabad and another in Siddipet. He began facing corruption allegations while working as a Deputy Superintendent of Police at Atmakur," said a source. Atmakur is a town in the faction-ridden Kurnool district of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh.

The cop’s journey with the Counter Intelligence cell was spotless until he fell trap to corruption after moving to law and order. Since then, the Additional SP has been on the radar of anti-corruption investigating agencies. They were also acting upon various complainants filed against him.

ACB searches unearth illegal wealth

The searches were conducted on December 18 and 19 at his office, residence, the residence of his relatives and suspected benami in Siddipet, Hyderabad, Mahabubunagar, Zaheerabad, Shadnagar, Ayyavaripalle and other places.

The properties unearthed were – 1.5 kg gold ornaments, Rs 5.33 lakh, bank balance of Rs 6.37 lakh, a villa at Golkonda, 14 house plots in RR district, 20 acres of agricultural land in Siddipet and Mahabubnagar districts and 2 cars. The market price of these properties is nearly Rs 10 crore, said ACB sleuths.

According to the ACB, the police officer amassed assets disproportionate to his lawful source of income. A special ACB court has remanded him in judicial custody.