An FIR has been registered against nine persons, including BJP National General Secretary Muralidhar Rao for allegedly duping a couple to the tune of Rs. 2.17 crore.
Police filed an FIR under relevant Sections of CrPC against the nine accused persons namely-Krishna Kishore, Eshwar Reddy, Ramchandra Reddy, Gajula Hanumantha Rao, Sama Chandrashekar Reddy, Baba, Srikanth, P Muralidhar Rao and G Srinivas on March 25.
41-year-old Pravarna Reddy filed the below complaint.
In November 2015, Eswar Reddy, who claimed to be closely associated with prominent personalities in the BJP, approached the woman and her husband.
Eswar Reddy had said he knew one A Krishna Kishore, the “shadow” of Muralidhar Rao, who was capable of getting a nominated post in any department of the central government, the woman said in her complaint.
The complainant said she and her husband were reluctant to acquire the post by spending a huge amount.
“Later, Eswar Reddy and others again approached us and put pressure on us to accept their proposal by making false promises that they would be able to procure a nominated membership of Pharma Exil which functions under the control of Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India,” the complainant alleged.
She also alleged that Eswar Reddy and others with the active connivance of Muralidhar Rao showed a photocopy of an appointment letter of her husband as chairperson of Pharma Exil, which was purportedly signed by Nirmala Sitharaman, and took Rs 2.17 crore for the post.
When the complainant and her husband approached Eswar Reddy and others over the appointment they dragged the matter and when they sought return of the money there was no response, police said based on the complaint.
The woman alleged that Muralidhar Rao also started to threaten them.
“The accused also produced an offer letter purportedly signed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman. Following which, they took Rs 2.17 crore from the couple assuring the appointment of the complainant’s husband as chairperson of Pharma Exil,” the police added.
Police further said that the complainant later approached Eshwar Reddy and Ramchandra Reddy but they dogged the matter and later on stopped responding.
Denying the allegations, Muralidhar Rao in a series of tweets said, “Regarding the FIR filed – have nothing to do with the present dispute. The FIR involving me reportedly is sequel to a private complaint in a court by those who actually are facing criminal charges in the same matter.”
Police sources say having filled FIR the probe in the matter is underway.
