
It was recently found that the ration rice from the godown owned by the family of Machilipatnam-based former minister Perni Nani was being diverted secretly for various purposes. As many as 386 tons of the rice were reportedly used for fish feed, to fill shortfalls at mandal-level godowns, and for adulteration in rice mills. However, it is confirmed that the rice was transported in several stages through mini trucks.
Police actions and arrests
Police have picked up steam in the case as four more suspects were arrested. Total arrests stand at seven with three already behind the bars on remand. Recently arrested include Mata Venkata Subba Rao, Pamarthi Nageswara Rao, Gopisetty Nancharayya, and Kandula Bapuji. The four were produced before District Special Mobile Court Magistrate MV Vahini, who remanded them until 24 January. One of the accused, Dokku Nagaraju, has died, it has been reported.
Among those involved is one person: Kandula Bapuji. Locally known as the "Bandaru ration rice don," Bapuji is accused of buying ration rice and making it a money-making business. Bapuji is already facing several legal cases.
Transactions Involving Money and Accusations of Influence
It has raised accusations of backroom dealings by Perni Nani. There is a possibility that Nani is trying to influence the probe to save those involved. It is proved that something from the accounts of the suspects recently arrested was dealt with the godown manager named Manas Teja in the form of transactions amounting to ₹27 lakh. This amount of ₹1.76 lakh is said to have been transferred by Teja to Perni Nani.
Over 386 tonnes of rice diverted but the money transactions involved have not been collected yet. The issues of cash distribution and involvement of Perni family are also still questions because the charges mention an effort not to disclose critical facts in this case.