HYDERABAD: SI suspended for aiding ₹3,000 crore scam accused escape custody
HYDERABAD: Hyderabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar on Thursday suspended Central Zone Task Force sub-inspector D. Srikanth Goud for dereliction of duty and alleged complicity in the escape of Satish Vuppalapati, a key accused in an inter-state financial fraud case valued at over ₹3,000 crore.
Satish and his wife, Shilpa Banda, were wanted by the Central Crime Station’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in connection with a ₹23-crore cheating complaint filed by Dr P. Vinay Kumar, son of former Union minister P. Shiv Shankar. The complainant alleged that the couple and their associates duped him with false investment promises. The case was registered on September 18.
Accused travelled with SI in private car before escape
Investigations revealed that SI Goud, along with his team, apprehended Satish and Shilpa in Mumbai on October 23. Instead of using official police vehicles for the return journey, Goud travelled with the accused in their private car, directing his team to follow separately.
During the journey, the SI reportedly returned three of the five seized mobile phones to the accused, who used them to speak with relatives for over an hour and allegedly plan their escape. On October 24, near Sadasivpet in Sangareddy district, the couple escaped when Goud’s vehicle was found to be over 25 km ahead of the official escort despite repeated requests from constables to stay close.
Inquiry finds negligence, bribery allegations of ₹2 crore
Following the escape, Commissioner Sajjanar ordered an internal inquiry involving the Special Branch, Task Force and IT Cell. Call data records, GPS locations and CCTV footage from a roadside dhaba confirmed that the SI travelled with the accused.
During questioning, Goud’s team members alleged that he had struck a ₹2-crore deal with Satish to facilitate the escape. The SI was later detained and interrogated. Based on the inquiry report and corroborating technical evidence, Sajjanar suspended Goud for gross negligence and possible misconduct.
Massive ₹3,000-crore fraud under lens
Police sources said Satish Vuppalapati is suspected to be involved in multiple fraud cases across states, collectively amounting to nearly ₹3,000 crore. He is accused of floating fake investment schemes and duping high-profile investors with promises of huge returns.
After the Hyderabad case came to light, Dr Vinay Kumar approached senior police officials alleging delays in investigation. His representation led to a review of the case by the EOW and triggered the Task Force operation to trace Satish and Shilpa.
Both accused remain absconding after their escape, while special teams are verifying the financial records of Goud and his associates. Police have seized his mobile phone and are scrutinising deleted data and bank transactions to determine whether he received money for aiding the couple’s flight.
