Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials arrested CCS ACP Uma Maheswara Rao on Tuesday for possessing disproportionate assets. Following complaints of illegal wealth accumulation, ACB conducted surprise raids on his house in Ashok Nagar, seizing significant amounts of cash and gold. Along with Rao's house, simultaneous raids were carried out at 11 locations, including his relatives' and friends' houses. The raids resulted in the confiscation of assets worth approximately ₹3.5 crore, with market value expected to be higher. Rao was accused of demanding money from victims in the Sahiti Infra case and colluding with the accused.
In addition to these allegations, Rao bought a villa in Shamirpet with the illicit money and owned 17 properties in various locations like Ghatkesar, Vizag, Ashok Nagar, Shamirpet, and Kukatpally. The ACB recovered ₹38 lakhs in cash and 60 tolas of gold during the raids. JD Sudhindra from ACB stated that Rao was arrested for owning assets beyond his income. Documents under the name "Sandeep" were found, and it is suspected to be an alias used by Rao, a 1995 batch officer, has been involved in corrupt activities since the early stages of his career, facing suspensions while serving as an Inspector at Abids and Jawaharnagar police stations. He was appointed to CCS after a suspension in 2022 for negligence in a double murder case investigation in Ibrahimpatnam. During his tenure, he faced allegations of land settlements. Following the elections, he was transferred to CCS and assigned the Sahiti Infra case, during which further complaints emerged.
The ACB will present Rao before a magistrate and, with court permission, take him into custody for further questioning. The seized assets are valued at around ₹50 crore in the open market.
