Nalgonda police have arrested two key accused, Kandukuri Mahender (65) and his wife Kandukuri Padma (57), in a Rs43 crore paddy diversion scam. The operation, carried out near Domalapally village under the supervision of SDPO K. Sivaram Reddy, also led to the seizure of Rs 1.09 lakh in cash, three mobile phones, and a car. Several others involved in the scam remain at large.
Investigations revealed that during the 2022–23 Rabi season, the accused entered into Custom Milling Rice (CMR) agreements with the government through Sumanjali Parboiled Pvt Ltd in Arjalabavi, Varalakshmi Parboiled Mill in Chityala, and Manohara Agro Food Products Pvt Ltd in Munugode. Acting as the key agent, Kandukuri Mahender allegedly diverted the paddy procured at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) through agencies such as Indira Kranthi Patham (IKP), Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), and District Cooperative Marketing Societies (DCMS), selling it in the open market instead of returning it to the government.
Authorities estimate that approximately 13,170 metric tonnes of paddy were diverted, causing a total loss of nearly RS43 crore—Rs22 crore at Sumanjali, Rs19.33 crore at Varalakshmi, and Rs1.47 crore at Manohara mills. The acts have been classified as criminal breach of trust.
Cases have been registered at Nalgonda Rural, Chityala, and Munugode police stations. Police are continuing investigations to trace additional absconding suspects and recover the remaining diverted stock.
