Fugitive’s arrest after 30 years: Hindustan Copper Limited corruption case
HYDERABAD: After more than 30 years, the law has caught up with S.V. Raja Rao, a naturalised citizen of the USA who has been evading trial in a high-profile corruption case tied to Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and a misappropriation case.
Going further into the case details, the CBI, Hyderabad registered the case back in 1994 against S.V. Raja Rao, then a director of R.S. Wires Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad. The primary accusation was that the company, along with public servants of Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), Hyderabad, misappropriated 17,335 kg of black copper rods valued at Rs 1,50,000, belonging to HCL, and gained pecuniary advantage for themselves and others. They were charged with criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust (Sections 120-B & 409 IPC), and under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The charge sheet was filed in 1996.
After dodging law enforcement for more than three decades, 64-year-old S.V. Raja Rao was finally apprehended on November 18, 2025, as he landed from the United States at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. With a Lookout Circular and Red Corner Notice in place, his arrival triggered swift detention, and he was soon brought before the Hyderabad court and sent to judicial custody.
While the other accused were tried, convicted, and their sentences modified by the Supreme Court in 2019, Rao remained at large. The court had declared him a “Proclaimed Offender” on July 23, 2000. Subsequently, a Look Out Circular and a Red Corner Notice were issued against him.
CBI court grants bail to 30-year corruption fugitive
The CBI court granted bail on Monday to S.V. Raja Rao, who had been evading trial for over 30 years in a high-profile corruption and misappropriation case. The decision cited his age and health, despite strong opposition from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In his bail petition, Rao’s counsel argued that the charge sheet was filed decades ago, so no further investigation was needed. He emphasised that Rao, a “sexagenarian,” suffered a paralytic stroke in January 2024 and has ongoing health issues requiring constant medication. The counsel also offered that Rao would surrender his US passport and comply with any court conditions, asserting he was no longer a flight risk.
The CBI’s Special Public Prosecutor strongly opposed bail, arguing that Rao’s long absconding showed intent to avoid trial. The agency said that with no permanent address in India and a history of fleeing, he was likely to leave the country again if released.
After hearing both sides, the CBI court considered the medical records and the accused’s age. While acknowledging the serious charges and long evasion, the court granted bail under strict conditions. These include the execution of a personal bond of Rs. 20,000 with two sureties of the same amount, the surrender of his passport to the court, and a prohibition on leaving the country without prior court permission.
