Visakhapatnam: 'No political motive' behind the arrest of Atchannaidu says ACB Joint Director Ravi Kumar

Visakhapatnam: Anti-Corruption Bureau, Visakha Range, Joint Director Ravi Kumar on Friday said that action against former Labour Minister and Tekkali MLA Kinjarapu Atchannaidu was taken based on the preliminary investigation report submitted by the Vigilance Enforcement Department against those involved in the alleged ESI irregularities that took place between 2014 and 2019.

Brushing aside any 'political motive' behind the arrest of former minister and TDP Deputy Floor Leader, the JD addressing media at ACB office here on Friday, said that action was taken as many lapses were found by the Vigilance Enforcement Department and it revealed that government norms were violated and funds were misappropriated to the tune of Rs 150 crore.

Further, the JD added that, so far, former director of the Insurance Medical Services C K Ramesh Kumar in Tirupati and former director G Vijay Kumar in Rajamahendravaram along with V Janardhan, E Ramesh Babu and M K B Chakravarthi were taken into custody.

The JD said the arrests were made as the accused misused government funds and made Benami transactions, violating the norms.

He said the culprits produced fake bills, generated fake invoices and made purchases of surgical items, furniture and lab kits based on nomination instead of calling for tenders.

Currently, a total of six persons have been taken into custody and the ACB sleuths informed the media persons that those involved in the scam will not go scot-free.