The Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh, headed by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, appears to be systematically targeting YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders and officials named in Nara Lokesh's Red Book, one after the other.
According to sources, the latest target is former minister Vidadala Rajini, who was a fierce critic of Naidu during the YSRCP regime.
Reports suggest that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is preparing to arrest Rajini soon in connection with an extortion case.
Sources indicate that the ACB has gathered substantial evidence against Rajini and IPS officer Palle Joshua regarding allegations of extorting ₹2.20 crore from the owners of Sri Lakshmi Balaji Stone Crusher in Yadlapadu, Palnadu district.
The ACB has obtained approval from Chief Secretary K Vijayanand to investigate Joshua under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Similarly, the authorities have also sought Governor S Abdul Nazir's permission to prosecute Rajini, as she is a former minister.
"The ACB expects approvals within a few days. Once permission is granted, a case will be officially registered," sources said.
Earlier, the Vigilance and Enforcement Department had conducted a preliminary investigation based on complaints that stone crusher owners were threatened and forced to pay bribes.
Their report to the government confirmed that Rs 5 crore was initially demanded, out of which Rs 2.20 crore was collected. Of this, an amount of Rs 2 crore was paid to Rajini, Rs 10 lakh to Joshua, and Rs 10 lakh to Rajini’s personal assistant.
Based on this report, the state government ordered an ACB inquiry, and the agency is now securing the necessary permissions to proceed with the case.
During his tenure as regional Vigilance and Enforcement officer of Guntur district, Joshua allegedly inspected Balaji Stone Crushers, claiming to have found multiple irregularities.
He then threatened the company with a ₹50 crore fine and pressured the owners to pay ₹5 crore in bribes to Rajini and others.
The owners, fearing legal repercussions, were forced to comply, fearing that if they refused, criminal cases would be filed against them and their business would be shut down. They were also threatened not to speak about the incident.
With the ACB inquiry in progress, Rajini and Joshua are now under serious legal scrutiny, and an official case registration is expected soon.
