On the 27th of September, the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Dr. Ch. Devika Rani, the Director of Insurance Medical Services (IMS,) for alleged financial irregularities in medical supplies.
On the 26th of September, the ACB conducted a probe related to the multi crore scam of procuring medicines worth more than the contract amount. Dr. Devika, along with 7 other people, was allegedly responsible for the Rs. 300 crore scam.
According to sources, Ms. Rani used to procure medicines from non rate contract firms at a higher price than the actual rate, stating emergency medicines are needed. The non rate contract firms were allegedly set up by her to divert the excess money.
Dr. Ch. Devika Rani and Joint Director K. Padma were arrested from their respective residences on Friday morning.
The others arrested were Vasantha Indira, the Assistant Director of the Insurance Medical Services (IMS,) pharmacist Radhika, Senior Assistant Harshvardhan, Omni Medicines Managing Director Srihari and Nagaraju.
As of now, the ACB is interrogating them at the Banjara Hills headquarters of the ACB. After the day long interrogation, they will appear in a special court for ACB cases in Hyderabad.
An ACB officer said, “So far, seven people, including five officials and two private persons were taken into custody, after collecting valid documents from their possession to prove the charges.”
The investigation regarding the ESI scam is underway.
Stay tuned for further updates.
