The Hindu : Probe team launches recovery effort

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 15, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Probe team launches recovery effort

By B. Chandrashekhar

ANANTAPUR, MARCH 14. The police team investigating the alleged misuse of Rs. 46-lakh funds belonging to the Roads and Buildings Department by the former RDO of Anantapur, K. Geeta, who was suspended by the Government later, is learnt to be planning recovery of the money from different parties, to whom the money had allegedly reached through the Universal Music Lovers Society, Hyderabad, owned by Ms. Geeta's husband.

According to authoritative sources, the investigating officers have taken into possession all cheques -- 30 in number -- from the Jubilee Hills branch of ING Vysya Bank, where the cheques were cleared after January 21, 2004. The cheques were allegedly issued by the owner of the UMLS and Ms. Geeta's husband, M.S. Kumar, to various parties to whom he had owed money after getting the Rs. 46 lakhs allegedly diverted to his concern by his wife.

Ms. Geeta has already confessed to the investigating team that she had diverted the money with a plan to adjust it some time later. She is out on bail currently.

However, her husband, who is accused number two in the case, has been at large since her arrest on February 20.

However, the investigating officers are said to be concentrating more on recovery of the Government money than arresting Mr. Kumar. The sources said the team would turn to recovery after verifying the encashment of cheques allegedly issued by Mr. Kumar.

Suspicion is also being raised over the role of the branch manager of Syndicate Bank here where the RDO had allegedly deposited the money. The branch manager was learnt to have admitted before the District Collector on the previous night before the arrest of the RDO that he smelled something fishy as the entire R&B amount was drawn by a private firm.

He, however, issued a new chequebook to the RDO on February 20 morning knowing well that there was no amount left in the account except a few thousands.

The investigating team is said to be considering interrogation of the bank manager again on the charge of aiding the main accused.

The sources said chargesheet in the case would be finalised and filed after recovery of the money.

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