The Congress government in Telangana is increasing scrutiny on three IAS officers who held prominent roles during the BRS regime, namely former Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, Arvind Kumar, and former Ranga Reddy District Collector Amoy Kumar. All three are now under investigation in separate cases. Somesh Kumar faces scrutiny in a GST scam, Arvind Kumar is being investigated over alleged irregularities in the Formula E race, and Amoy Kumar is involved in a land scam in Ranga Reddy district.
Rs 1000-Crore GST Scam Uncovered in Telangana
In a major Rs 1000-crore fraud within the Telangana Commercial Taxes Department, police have identified irregularities in Input Tax Credit disbursements involving around 75 companies, revealed through forensic audit findings. The fraud was uncovered following a complaint by Commercial Taxes Commissioner Ravi, leading to an investigation involving former Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, alongside other officials. Charges under Sections 406, 409, and 120 (B) of the IPC have been filed by CCS police, and the case has now been transferred to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has expedited the probe and may soon detain key suspects.
Formula E Race Scandal Draws Focus on Arvind Kumar
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is closely examining IAS officer Arvind Kumar’s involvement in the 2023 Formula E race organized during the BRS administration. Kumar, who has been interrogated multiple times, reportedly claimed that the diversion of Rs 55 crore was at the directive of then-Minister K.T. Rama Rao (KTR). Despite low revenue returns from the event, HMDA was directed to transfer Rs 55 crore to FEO for a second race scheduled in February 2024 without the required financial department clearance, raising Congress government concerns during election season. The ACB is leading this investigation.
Land Scam in Ranga Reddy District: 42 Acres Under Scrutiny
Allegations have surfaced against IAS officer Amoy Kumar, who reportedly engaged in unauthorized land transfers while serving as Ranga Reddy District Collector. Complaints point to irregularities in the allocation of 42 acres of Bhudan land in Maheshwaram Mandal, Nagaram, valued at hundreds of crores. Specifically, in Survey No. 181, 50 acres of land designated as restricted were controversially registered in 2021 under the name of a Muslim woman named Khadurunnisa Begum, who had previously applied for succession. The ED has already interrogated Amoy Kumar and found possible involvement of former BRS ministers.