Former HMDA director Siva Balakrishna's DA case: ACB probes role of senior IAS officer in “shady deals”

HYDERABAD: The case surrounding former director of HMDA Siva Balakrishna took a sensational turn with allegations of corruption implicating a senior IAS officer.

Balakrishna, who was recently arrested on charges of amassing disproportionate assets, reportedly disclosed details of a complex web of corruption during his eight days in custody, leading investigators to a high-ranking government official.

Balakrishna reportedly confessed to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of paying Rs 10 crores to the IAS officer, who allegedly played a pivotal role in the previous government and continued to hold a prominent position in the then administration. The funds were traced to illicit land acquisitions in the Warangal region, orchestrated under the officer's instructions.

Balakrishna's confession shed light on a systematic scheme where he claimed to have granted key permissions based on the IAS officer's directives. In return, he received funds from various organisations, which were then safely handed over to the IAS officer. The former HMDA director reportedly disclosed that he had delivered substantial amounts, totalling up to Rs 10 crores, in cash to the senior bureaucrat on multiple occasions.

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Furthermore, Balakrishna asserted that the IAS officer guided him on investments, specifically recommending real estate purchases in Warangal. The rationale provided was not only to launder illegal income but also to capitalize on potential growth in that region.

The ACB officials identified 214 acres of agricultural land belonging to Balakrishna, with a significant portion, about 102 acres, located in Jangaon district.

Following Balakrishna's revelations, the ACB has reportedly issued a notice to the implicated IAS officer to begin an investigation and sought permission from the State Government. The gravity of the case prompted serious consideration, and indications suggested that the government was likely to grant permission.

Simultaneously, the ACB meticulously cross-referenced Balakrishna's statements. While Balakrishna's phone had already been seized, and the Call Data Record (CDR) had been collected, details of the conversations and chats with the concerned IAS officer were extracted. Additionally, efforts were underway to retrieve any remaining data, focusing on locations, tower records, and CCTV footage to validate the claims made during the confession.

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ACB sources emphasised the crucial role played by Balakrishna's brother, Siva Naveen Kumar, in orchestrating the intricate affairs of the corruption network. Naveen Kumar was alleged to have established shell companies for fund diversion, with evidence indicating tax payments under their names. However, Naveen Kumar's lack of cooperation led ACB officials to seek custody for further interrogation.

Real estate companies implicated in Balakrishna's testimony would also face scrutiny, as ACB geared up to issue notices and conduct thorough investigations. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) was poised to step in under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) once ACB concluded its probe into the multi-crore irregularities.

The Income Tax department had already initiated an inquiry into Balakrishna's illegal assets, uncovering the use of relatives and friends as benami. Meanwhile, ACB investigations within HMDA continued, with recent searches unearthing files related to key permits, shedding light on potential misuse of power by the former director.