VIJAYAWADA: The Anti-Corruption Bureau took the four accused involved in the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) scam into their custody on Friday.
The accused—Ch Subramanyam (revenue section office subordinate), Soka Ramesh (Subramanyam’s associate), Ch Murali Krishna, and Kondepudi Jagadish Dhanaraj—were picked up from Rajahmundry central jail.
The public prosecutor representing ACB said the custody of the four was essential as more information is required to understand the extent of the scam. So far, Rs 61 lakh has been found to have been misappropriated by the accused through fake medical bills and other fraudulent claims since 2015.
ACB sources said they are now trying to find out where the misappropriated funds were used and any other accounts where the money may have been parked. ACB recently raided Murali Krishna’s house in Prakasam district and seized several incriminating documents pertaining to fake medical bills. As per preliminary investigation, irregularities in CMRF started in 2014 when the accused submitted fake bills and applications to siphon off Rs 1.81 crore. ACB officials said they have found 88 documents to be illegal and 35 claims worth Rs 61.6 lakh to be bogus.
