CCS ACP Uma Maheshwar Rao arrested for disproportionate assets

HYDERABAD: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) intensified its investigation into the disproportionate assets of CCS Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Uma Maheshwar Rao, who was arrested and interrogated at the ACB headquarters.

The ACB conducted searches at Maheshwar Rao's residence on allegations that his assets exceeded his known sources of income.

The investigation revealed numerous instances of corruption by Uma Maheshwar Rao. Reports indicated that individuals seeking justice were often victimised by his corrupt practices. Despite receiving many complaints in the past and being suspended three times, Maheshwar Rao continued his unethical activities. Officials disclosed that he converted civil cases into criminal cases, extorting substantial sums of money.

Witnesses reportedly told ACB that Maheshwar Rao, who was supposed to deliver justice, instead negotiated with victims for personal gain. An NRI complainant was allegedly threatened and extorted. He is also facing allegations of involvement in the Sahiti Infra case, worth Rs 1,000 crores. Former staff members allegedly expressed frustration, revealing that Maheshwar Rao's colleagues often mocked him for his behaviour.

It was uncovered that Maheshwar Rao accumulated significant wealth through illicit means, including purchasing luxurious villas in the city's suburbs. Instead of keeping cash at his residence, he stored it at his maternal uncle's house. ACB officials found records of transactions on a tablet, revealing illegal assets worth Rs 50 crore in the open market.

Searches at seven locations by the ACB officials led to the seizure of cash, land documents, gold, and silver ornaments. Authorities identified 17 properties, including lands in Ghatkesar and Vizag Chodavaram, flats in Ashok Nagar, and lands in Shamirpet, Kukatpally, and Malkajgiri. The seized assets included Rs 37 lakhs in cash, 60 tolas of gold, and assets valued at Rs 3.40 crores. Additionally, two lockers were identified, and the total estimated value of Maheshwar Rao's assets was around Rs 50 crore, including a villa in Shamirpet.