In a unique case, the police were taken for a ride for 11 years by two persons, who reportedly impersonated as Home Guard constables and served the Police Commissionerate. They not only performed the duties assigned, rubbed shoulders with officers, and protected VVIPs but also enjoyed the salary and other monthly emoluments without being detected. And they did it right under the nose of the crime crackers.
The accused were identified as Pilla Pothuraju and his brother Pilla Palaraju, both in their early thirties and residents of Paindorapeta, Fishing Harbour, One Town area.
According to Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) S. Varada Raju, in 2003, eight persons from Peda Uppada village of Bhimili mandal, who knew swimming, were recruited as constables (Home Guard). Of the nine, two persons -- Vasupalli Dasu and Tholada Kondababu -- discontinued service after two months and did not report for duty.
Taking advantage of the scenario, the then Reserve Inspector (Home Guard) A. Jaganmohana Rao, allegedly recruited the two accused who were then working as painters in his house, in place of Dasu and Kondababu. He reportedly took Rs. 50,000 from each of the brothers and forged the ID cards by pasting their photographs in place of the original persons. And since then Pothuraju had been serving as Dasu and Palaraju as Kondababu. In the last 11 years they served under various police stations and the Reserve Inspector Jaganmohana Rao died of some ailment a few years ago.
Record verification The crime came to light after a police constable met one of the original candidates and was informed that he had quit 11 years ago. This was informed to the current RI of Home Guard B. Ramakrishna.
On verification of the pay and other records it was ascertained that it was a case of impersonation. The case was handed over to Two Town police and the duo was arrested on Thursday by SHO R. Mallikarjuna Rao and booked under IPC sections for cheating and impersonation.
