One arrested, two booked for smuggling 290 quintals of PDS rice in Telangana’s Adilabad

 Two persons were booked, while a driver was arrested for allegedly smuggling rice meant for Public Distribution System (PDS) in Echoda mandal centre on Saturday. Police seized 290 quintals of rice from the driver.

SP Akhil Mahajan, in a statement, said that a case was registered against V Venkata Raju, the owner of Sitharama Raju Rice Mills, from Adarshnagar in Adilabad town, and Kaipu Prabhakar Reddy of Bodhan in Nizamabad district.

Following a tip-off, Sidam Mothiram of Jainath mandal was apprehended for illegally transporting the grains in a lorry in Echoda mandal centre.

Mothiram confessed to committing the offence as per instructions of Prabhakar Reddy, who was receiver of the grains procured from Venkata Raju. Accordingly, a case was registered against Prabhakar Reddy and Venkata Raju. Investigations were taken up.

Earlier, 290 quintals of rice was seized in Echoda mandal centre on March 24. The accused person was Mohammad Ahmed from Kailashnagar in Adilabad district centre. Police also seized 20 quintals of rice in two different incidents in the recent past. A total of 600 quintals of rice was seized in the past week.

Stringent action would be taken against those who indulge in smuggling of PDS rice, Akhil warned.

This article has been republished from The Telangana Today.