BJP national general secretary P.Muralidhar Rao has landed in a controversy when the Saroornagar police under Rachakonda police commissionerate filed an FIR against him and eight others for allegedly duping a man from Hyderabad of Rs. 2.17 crore by promising to make him chairman of Pharmaexcil, a body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The complaint was lodged by one Talla Pravarna Reddy, wife of Talla Mahipal Reddy of Champapet, on March 25.
A case under Sections 406, 420, 468, 471, 506 read with 120 b IPC, 156 (3) CrPC was registered against the nine persons including Mr. Muralidhar Rao, who is cited as A-8.
Mr. Muralidhar Rao in a statement dismissed the charges and said: " have nothing to do with the present dispute . The FIR involving me reportedly is sequel to a private complaint in a court by those who actually are facing criminal charges in the same matter.. The timing of the private compliant which has no base is mischievous to say the least. Hope police will act quickly to nail the lies. My lawyers will initiate appropriate steps to bring the culprits to justice."
Ms. Pravarna Reddy in her complaint said she was approached by one V. Easwar Reddy, who claimed to be a journalist and closely associated with prominent BJP leaders.
In November 2015, they were reportedly approached by Mr Eashwar Reddy stating that he knew one A. Krishna Kishore, said to be very close to Mr. Muralidhar Rao. Mr. Mahipal Reddy and Ms. Pravarna Reddy were told that Mr. Krishna Kishore was capable of getting a nominated post in any of the departments in Central government.
The complainant and her husband were reluctant. However, some time later Mr. Eshwar Reddy again approached them along with Mr. Krishna Kishore and one Manda Ramachandra Reddy and pressured them to accept the proposal of getting a nominated membership of Pharmaexcil.
Mr. Krishna Kishore, Mr. Eashwar Reddy and one Ramachandra Reddy allegedly created email IDs and profile of the complainant's husband.
All the accused with the active connivance of the BJP leader induced the complainant and her husband by showing them a photo copy of the letter purportedly written by Union Minister Nirmala Sitaraman. The accused allegedly took an amount of Rs. 2.17 crore with the promise of making Mr. Mahipal Reddy the chairperson of Pharmaexcil, the FIR said.
Subsequently, the accused reportedly started avoiding the couple. Upon persistent request the BJP leader gave an undertaking that an amount of Rs. 2.05 crore would be returned and even issued a cheque in the name of one M. Raju.
The BJP leader did not keep his word and failed to take back the cheque nor made the payment.
After failing to get back the money, the couple approached Saroornagar police where the main accused Mr. Krishha Kishore confessed that he had colluded with all other accused and taken an amount of Rs. 2.10 crore under the guise of getting nominated post, the FIR said.
The State BJP leadership in the meantime have cried foul alleging that it was an attempt by the party's detractors to show them in poor light ahead of the general elections.
