I-T department widens scope of investigation against Telangana minister Malla Reddy

A few family members of Malla Reddy have been summoned for questioning on the basis of documents seized in raids.

BySouth First Desk

Published Nov 28, 2022 | 4:16 PMUpdatedNov 29, 2022 | 7:41 AM

Malla Reddy

After conducting extensive raids on Telangana Labour Minister Ch Malla Reddy’s educational institutions, residences, and those of his relatives and family members, the I-T department on Monday, 28 November, widened the scope of its investigation into his alleged tax evasion.

After completion of simultaneous searches at more than 30 places last week, the I-T sleuths seized crucial documents and other material for examination. They later issued notices to a few family members of Reddy, summoning them for questioning.

It is learnt that the auditor of Reddy’s family appeared before the I-T officials to clear the doubts raised by the sleuths.

The officials, it is learnt, collected information about the fee records and cash payments of the educational institutions of Reddy and his family members, in addition to donations collected so far.

Bank transactions, property details

The I-T department is also examining the details of properties allegedly purchased by Reddy’s family members in Hyderabad and its surroundings and elsewhere in Telangana.

The bank transactions carried out by Reddy’s family members are also under the scanner of I-T officials.

The I-T sleuths conducted searches last week with the assistance of central forces fearing that Reddy’s supporters would prevent them from discharging their duty.

Charges, counter-charges

The raids were marred by accusations by Malla Reddy that one of his sons was assaulted by the central police personnel accompanying the I-T sleuths.

Another son of Reddy’s, Bhadra Reddy, in fact lodged a complaint with the Bowenpalli police against one Ratnakar, an officer of the I-T Department.

In a counter-complaint, an I-T official filed a complaint against Malla Reddy for harassing him while he was on duty.

Bhadra Reddy in his complaint alleged that his brother’s signatures were forcibly taken at the Dindigul hospital.

The I-T Department, which began on Tuesday, 22 November, wound up its searches on Thursday afternoon, asking him and others to explain the unaccounted-for money to them on 28 and November.

The I-T department deployed as many as 400 officials who, forming 65 teams, seized several incriminating documents, cash, and gold in the raids.