The ACB alleged that officer acquired these assets by indulging in unlawful practices and by dubious means during his service.
Published Jul 16, 2025 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 16, 2025 | 11:00 AM
ACB raids on properties linked to former ENC Muralidhar Rao. (Supplied)
Synopsis: On 15 July, Telangana ACB arrested former Irrigation Engineer-in-Chief Muralidhar Rao after raids at 12 locations revealed assets far exceeding known income. He allegedly amassed wealth through corrupt means while in office. Earlier, the Congress government sought his resignation over the Medigadda barrage probe tied to the Kaleshwaram project.
Following raids on Tuesday, 15 July at 12 locations linked to former Telangana Irrigation Engineer-in-Chief (ENC) Muralidhar Rao, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested him in the case of disproportionate assets to the known sources of income.
The ACB alleged that officer acquired these assets by indulging in unlawful practices and by dubious means during his service.
He served as the ENC following the BRS’s ascent to power in 2014. This follows the similar arrest of Nune Sridhar, a former executive engineer of the Kaleshwaram project.
Searches were conducted at the officer’s Banjara Hills residence and 11 other places in Hyderabad, Karimnagar, and Zaheerabad, which belong to him and his relatives.
According to the ACB press release, searches led to the discovery of several assets linked to Muralidhar Rao, including a villa in Kondapur; flats in Banjara Hills, Yousufguda, Begumpet, and Kokapet; commercial buildings in Hyderabad and Karimnagar; an apartment in Kodad; a 2KW solar project in Zaheerabad; an under-construction apartment in Warangal; 11 acres of farmland; four prime residential plots in Hyderabad; 6,500 sq. yards of land in Mokila; three four-wheelers including a Mercedes-Benz; gold ornaments; and substantial bank deposits.
The press release further read, “The searches revealed that the above Accused Officer had acquired these movable and immovable properties by abusing his official position. The searches are still going on. The market value is expected to be much higher than the official value.”
While the investigation is in progress, Muralidhar Rao has been sent to judicial remand
In February 2024, the Congress government asked Muralidhar Rao to resign immediately. The action against Muralidhar Rao followed the receipt of the report of the Vigilance and Enforcement Department, which probed the sinking of the piers of the Medigadda barrage, which is part of multi-stage and multi-crore Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS).
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Raj Rayasam)
