In a significant breakthrough in the alleged corruption linked to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), Telangana’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Chetti Muralidhar Rao, the former Engineer-in-Chief of the Irrigation Department, on Tuesday. Rao is accused in a disproportionate assets case related to his tenure during the previous BRS government, where he played a crucial role in the construction of the multi-crore irrigation project.
Before the arrest, the ACB conducted extensive searches at Rao’s residences and those of his close family members across Telangana. Officials revealed that assets worth approximately Rs 200 crore were uncovered during these raids. In addition to Rao, the agency has launched a manhunt for his son, Abhishek, who allegedly secured contracts in benami names and benefited financially from transactions connected to the Kaleshwaram project.
The ACB registered a case against Muralidhar Rao under the Prevention of Corruption Act, citing evidence that he amassed wealth far beyond his known income sources. Rao is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation.
Earlier, Justice Ghose had interrogated Rao, seeking detailed information about the project’s cost escalation and fund releases to contractors. Alongside Rao, several other senior irrigation officials have been detained in related corruption investigations.
