APPSC Exam Scam: ED Raids 7 Locations Across Telangana and Andhra
The Enforcement Directorate raids 7 locations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over alleged irregularities in APPSC Group-I main exam evaluations.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a massive crackdown on alleged corruption within the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC). On Wednesday, the agency conducted simultaneous searches at seven different premises across Hyderabad, Secunderabad in Telangana, and the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, investigating serious APPSC Group-I exam irregularities.
The Core of the Scandal: Manual Evaluation Fraud
The operation, spearheaded by the ED's Hyderabad zonal office, was initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation centers on suspicious activities surrounding the manual evaluation of answer scripts for the Group-I Main Examination.
According to officials, the probe focuses on a financial trail involving a sum of Rs 1,14,32,312. It is alleged that this significant amount was paid to a private entity in connection with the evaluation process, raising red flags about the integrity of the examination results.
Who is Under the Scanner?
The ED's search operations have targeted high-profile individuals and corporate entities involved in the process. The list of premises raided includes:
- Seetharamanjaneyulu: An Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and the former Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission.
- Camsign Media Pvt. Ltd.: The private firm that was entrusted with the task of manual evaluation, along with its Managing Director, P Madhusudhana Rao.
- Aavasa Resort Haailand: Located in Chinakakani village, Guntur district, this resort is believed to be the site where the answer scripts were stored and where the actual evaluation exercise took place.
- TruGrader Services: A division of Stone Media Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd., which had previously handled digital evaluations for the APPSC.
- Key Personnel: Akella Peri Srinivasa Rao, the Managing Director of TruGrader Services, and Mahamkali Raghuram, who was engaged in the evaluation work.
Ongoing Investigation
The agency's teams descended upon these locations early in the morning to secure evidence. Officials have stated that the search operations are currently in progress, with teams working to recover documents and digital evidence that could link the accused to the alleged financial irregularities and the manipulation of the examination process.