Cyberabad Economic Offences Wing busts four crores chit fund scam in Jeedimetla
Jeedimetla: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Cyberabad booked an unregistered chit fund business and deposits unit that cheated around 35 members, totalling around Four crores, and arrested two persons in connection with the case. Investigation revealed that the accused diverted the Chit saving scheme money and produced a small Telugu movie named ‘Mechanic’ using the cheated money.
Earlier last month a victim named K.Bhavani lodged a complaint with EOW officials stating that “She knew Mekala Nagamani and her family members Mekala Nagamunaiah, Chekuri Guruswamy and Chekuri Ranganayaklulu since 15 years as they were residing in the same colony as the victims. The accused persons were running unregistered Chits saving investment in their house from 2006. As they were in the chit saving scheme for a long time they built trust and confidence among the residents of their colony”.
According to the police, the complaint and 35 members of the colony formed as a chit group and joined in the chit scheme.“The chit groups are 1 lakh and 5 lakhs and each group consists of 20 to 30 members for a timeframe of 20 months. They also collected money from the colony people and other colonies in the form of hand loans with high rates of interest. When the group members confronted them about the money the accused evaded them with different reasons and extended the deadlines to pay back the amount”, said Cyberabad police in an official statement. However the accused absconded from their residence in the month of April which prompted the victim to lodge a formal complaint with police.
Accused diverted the chit funds to movie making
Based on the complaint EOW, Cyberabad booked a case under section 406(Criminal breach of trust), 420 (Cheating) of Indian penal code(IPC) and Section 5 of the Telangana Protection of Depositors of Financial Establishments Act- 1999. On Friday police arrested two accused and two others are still absconding.
Investigation revealed that the accused purchased a house and a flat at chintal, Jeedimetla with a defrauded amount and they also produced a movie named ‘Mechanic’.
The Cyberabad EOW advised the public to report any suspicious Unregistered Chit business activities and Unauthorised Deposit schemes. The police department is committed to take legal action against perpetrators and ensure justice for the victims.
CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.
Expansion of disaster management responsibilities
Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.
Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects
Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
