ED Raids in Hyderabad: Sheep Rearing Scam Investigation Progresses

Hyderabad, July 30 (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has undertaken extensive searches on Wednesday at multiple locations in Hyderabad concerning a money laundering investigation related to a sheep rearing and distribution "scam" worth several crores. This alleged scam is linked to the tenure of the previous BRS regime, as per official sources.

Search operations are being conducted at no fewer than eight locations within the city. These sites are reportedly associated with beneficiaries and alleged intermediaries implicated in the scam. These include the premises of G Kalyan, the Officer on Special Duty to former BRS minister Talasani Srinivasa Yadav. These operations fall under the ambit of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), according to the sources.

The investigation is rooted in several FIRs filed by the state police. The ED has noted that while the proceeds of crime declared in these FIRs account for Rs 2.1 crore, a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) indicates the total loss to the state government could run into crores of rupees.

The CAG audit report, which extends up to March 2021, highlights numerous "irregularities" in the rollout of the Sheep Rearing Development Scheme (SRDS). Some issues include the absence of beneficiary-wise details, erroneous records of transportation invoices and payments, and payments linked to invoices with fraudulent or incorrect vehicle registration numbers, such as passenger/non-transport vehicles. Additionally, there are instances of duplicate tags given to sheep units, the sources revealed.

The ED is also investigating allegations regarding sheep units supposedly being allocated to deceased or non-existent individuals.

The findings from the CAG audit report cover only seven of Telangana's total 33 districts. Within these districts, the estimated financial loss to the state government stands at Rs 253.93 crore. However, when extrapolated proportionally across all 33 districts, this loss is projected to exceed Rs 1,000 crore, according to the sources.

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