The Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has booked YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader and former Andhra Pradesh Minister Vidadala Rajini in an extortion case, along with suspended IPS officer Palle Joshua and two others. Rajini and the others are accused of extorting Rs 2.2 crore from the owners of Sri Lakshmi Balaji Stone Crushers in Palnadu district under the previous YSRCP government.
Based on a complaint from the owners of the company, the Vigilance and Enforcement department conducted an inquiry and reportedly submitted a report to the state government on December 3, 2024. Based on the report, the ACB has now registered an FIR under sections 7 (public servant being bribed) and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and sections 384 (extortion) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.
Rajini has been named the main accused, followed by then Regional Vigilance and Enforcement Officer (RVEO) Palle Joshua, Rajini’s brother-in-law Vidadala Gopi, and her personal assistant Dodda Ramakrishna.
Nallapaneni Chalapathi Rao, the managing partner of the stone crushing company, alleged that Rajini colluded with the other accused to extort a bribe of Rs 2 crore for herself, with Joshua and Gopi allegedly extorting another Rs 10 lakh each, the Times of India reported.
According to The New Indian Express Chalapathi Rao alleged that Rajini and Joshua initially demanded Rs 5 crore to allow his company’s operations to continue.
Rajini however denied the allegation. Speaking to the media on March 23, Sunday, she said that the cases against her were false. She alleged that TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, who left the YSRCP just before the 2024 Assembly elections, had fabricated the case against her out of personal vendetta.