The ACB is getting ready to register a case against Vidadala Rajini, who served as the Minister of Medical and Health in the YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s cabinet in the extortion of Rs 2.20 crore from a stone crusher.
Based on the complaint filed by Sri Lakshmi Balaji Stone Crusher, owner Namburi Srinivasa Rao and others in Edlapadu of Palnadu district, the vigilance officials who conducted the investigation also collected evidence that Rajini took Rs. 2 crore, ASP Joshua Rs. 10 lakh, and Rajini’s PA Rs. 10 lakh.
Since Rajini’s acceptance of bribes while holding the post of minister falls under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the vigilance officials recommended the ACB to take up the case and the government has given permission to register an ACB case against her.
It is learnt that the government has suggested that the responsibility of this case be handed over to a senior officer. Several officials are facing charges in the case of extorting money by threatening the crusher owners. There is a rumor that one or two of them have become approvers.
It was alleged that they testified to them stating “we did it only on Rajini’s orders.” An official said that this will further tighten the trap for the former minister. The former minister Vidadala Rajini and her family members allegedly carried out a campaign of violence while obstructing the ministerial post during the previous regime.
Recently.. another important name has been brought to the fore. It was revealed in the investigation report that Rajini’s husband brother Vidadala Gopi also played a prominent role in the case of threatening the owner of the crusher company Namburi Srinivasa Rao and others.
In this matter, the crusher owner was initially threatened with Rs. 5 crore. With this, he went to the then YSRCP leaders and pleaded that he could not give that much. However, no one relented. Upon learning of this, Rajini’s team harassed him further.
Initially Rajani’s PA threatened him for Rs. 5 crore. Later, she and Gopi stepped in. However, when the victims did not listen, they staged fake attacks with Vigilance ASP Joshua and terrorized them. Only after Joshua stepped in, the victims came to the idea of compromising by giving a lot of money. Officials have found that the DSP and CI who worked in Vigilance at that time also played a key role in this matter.
