CMR Scam: CID Nabs 4 More Rice Millers in Mulugu, 11 on the Run
11 millers remain absconding; over 300 petitions filed in High Court seeking legal protection: Reports
WARANGAL: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested four more rice millers in Mulugu district on Saturday as part of its probe into alleged irregularities in the Custom Milling Rice (CMR) scheme in Telangana.
The arrests have heightened concern in the rice milling industry, with the investigation focusing on the alleged diversion of government-allocated paddy and rice meant for delivery to the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
CID DSP Vasam Satish said the four arrested persons were Katragadda Satish, Katragadda Sudheer, Edunuri Venkata Reddy and Repala Satyanarayana. They are allegedly associated with Aditya Agro Industries at Lingapur, Bharat Rice Mill at Pasra and Meherbai Rice Mill at Govindaraopet in Mulugu district.
The DSP said 11 other millers facing cases in connection with the alleged irregularities were still absconding. Special teams had been deployed to trace and arrest them.
The CID is investigating two alleged methods of diversion in the CMR process. In the first, millers allegedly sold the fine-quality paddy supplied by the government in the open market and procured cheaper coarse rice for delivery to the FCI.
In the second, rice meant for government procurement was allegedly diverted without being delivered to the FCI. Investigators are also examining differences between the actual paddy stocks at mills and the quantities recorded in official registers.
Meanwhile, several rice millers have approached the Telangana High Court seeking anticipatory legal protection against possible arrests. More than 300 petitions have reportedly been filed in connection with the CMR cases.
The millers and investigating officials are watching the court proceedings closely. The CID is reportedly proceeding cautiously pending further developments.
The investigation is expected to gather pace after November 12, with the CID likely to step up efforts to arrest the absconding millers and extend its scrutiny to other rice mills.
Investigators are preparing to examine paddy stocks, milling records, pending CMR deliveries and the quality of rice supplied to the FCI across the state. The role of officials, if any, in the alleged irregularities may also come under scrutiny.