Sheep scam in Telangana: ACB suspects Rs. 700 crore scam, arrests two top officials
HYDERABAD: In a significant development, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Telangana arrested two high-ranking officials today. The arrests are linked to the ongoing investigation into the Sheep Distribution Scheme scam. ACB suspecting that the sum of ₹700 crore was obtained through a network of brokers and officials involved in fraudulent activities. The current inquiry aims to uncover and take action against all individuals who were part of this widespread corruption scandal.
This sheep scam in Telangana exceeding ₹253 crore involves the misuse of vehicles to transport large numbers of sheep, as highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Instances include an ambulance carrying 84 sheep, a two-wheeler carrying 126 sheep, and a car transporting 168 sheep. The fraud extends across seven districts.
The officials arrested are Sri Sabavath Ramchander, Chief Executive Officer of the Telangana State Livestock Development Agency (TSLDA), and Sri Gundamaraju Kalyan Kumar, former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for the then Minister for Animal Husbandry, Talasani Srinivas Yadav.
Arrest details of Telangana Sheep Scam
The ACB apprehended Sri Sabavath Ramchander, previously Managing Director of the Telangana State Sheep and Goat Development Cooperative Federation Ltd. Sri Gundamaraju Kalyan Kumar, who served as the OSD for the former Minister for Animal Husbandry, was also arrested. Both officials are accused of criminal misappropriation of government funds.
Ex Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav’s OSD arrested in Sheep scam
ACB arrest two top officers in Sheep Distribution Scheme scam.
In continuation of investigation of the case related to the scam in the Sheep
Distribution Scheme, on Friday Telangana ACB arrested Two
more… pic.twitter.com/fU7fZJwS2K— Sudhakar Udumula (@sudhakarudumula) May 31, 2024
The investigation revealed that the two officials conspired with private individuals. They violated procurement instructions for sheep and involved private brokers in the process. Their actions facilitated the misappropriation of government funds by private persons.
With a clear malafide intention, both officials instructed district Joint Directors and DVAHOs of the Animal Husbandry Department to abet the scheme. This led to significant financial loss to the government.
తెలంగాణ రాష్ట్రంలో జరిగిన గొర్రెల పంపిణీ పథక కుంభకోణంలో విచారణలో భాగంగా #ఏసిబి అధికారులు ఈ కేసుకు సంబంధించిన మరో ఇద్దరు అధికారులైన ఎస్. రాంచందర్, CEO, లైవ్ స్టాక్ డెవలప్మెంట్ ఏజెన్సీ & జి. కళ్యాణ్ కుమార్, అప్పటి పశుసంవర్ధక శాఖ మంత్రికి OSD. ఈ ఇద్దరూ కలిసి కొందరు ప్రైవేట్… pic.twitter.com/1Kv8jzC1Vp
— ACB Telangana (@TelanganaACB) May 31, 2024
Misappropriation of funds
The investigation has uncovered that the accused officials and their private collaborators gained undue advantage. They misappropriated government funds worth Rs. 2.10 crores. Their actions resulted in a wrongful loss to the government exchequer.
The two officials performed their duties dishonestly and improperly to benefit themselves and their accomplices. This serious breach of trust has caused a huge revenue loss to the government.
The ACB arrested the two officials today at around 4 PM. They were subsequently produced before the Hon’ble First Additional Special Judge for ACB cases in Hyderabad. The judge remanded them to judicial custody.
The case remains under active investigation. The ACB continues to probe deeper into the scam, aiming to uncover the full extent of the misappropriation and to hold all involved parties accountable.
