metro india news  I hyderabad

Muralidhar Rao, a retired engineer-in-chief of the irrigation department, was arrested by ACB officials in Jubilee Hills on Tuesday on charges of possessing disproportionate assets.

According to ACB officials, a case has been filed against Muralidhar Rao under the Prevention of Corruption Act, following preliminary evidence that indicates he has amassed wealth significantly beyond his recognized income sources during his time in office. He is currently in ACB custody and is being interrogated. Ongoing ACB searches are taking place at the residences of Muralidhar Rao's relatives and close associates in Hyderabad, Karimnagar and Zaheerabad. 

Muralidhar retired in 2013 in undivided Andhra Pradesh but got multiple extensions. Following the formation of Telangana State, Muralidhar Rao's service was extended for an additional 13 years. He continued to work for a period after the Congress government took office. However, the state government has recently removed Muralidhar Rao following a vigilance report related to the Medigadda project.

Recently, the ACB has investigated officials involved in the Kaleshwaram irrigation project. It has been reported that the ACB has already apprehended former Kaleshwaram Engineer-in-Chief Hari Ram and Executive Engineer Nune Sridhar. Currently, the ACB is conducting raids at the residence of Muralidhar Rao, who was instrumental in the project’s construction during the previous BRS government.

The ACB is reportedly investigating the office of Abhishek, the son of Muralidhar Rao, due to suspicions that funds obtained illegally from transactions associated with the Kaleshwaram project may have been funneled into his business as well. During the searches several properties including one Villa at Kondapur, 

one flat in Banjara hills, One flat in Yousufguda, One flat in Begumpet, One flat in Kokapet, One Commercial building in Karimnagar, one commercial building at Hyderabad, One apartment in Kodad, One solar power project of 2KW in Zaheerabad, One apartment under construction at Warangal, 11 acres of agricultural land, 4 residential prime open plots in Hyderabad, 6500 sq. Yards land in Mokila, Three four wheelers including a Mercedes Benz car, Gold ornaments and Bank deposits were unearthed. The searches revealed that the above Accused Officer had acquired these movable and immovable properties by abusing his official position. The searches are still going on.