Ex-Madanapalle RDO Arrested in Shocking Revenue Records Burning Case

In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples through administrative circles, M. Venkatesh, the former Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) of Madanapalle, has been taken into custody. The high-profile arrest stems from serious allegations that he deliberately set fire to crucial revenue records, an act believed to be a calculated attempt to destroy evidence pertinent to a long-standing and contentious property dispute.

Venkatesh's apprehension by Kadiri police marks a significant development in a case that has garnered considerable attention.

The former RDO, who once held a position of considerable authority, was produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate (JMFC) court in Kadiri and subsequently remanded to judicial custody, underscoring the gravity of the charges he faces.

The core of the scandal revolves around a complex property dispute concerning Sy.

Nos. 133 and 134 in D. Kottala village, located in Ramasamudram mandal. For years, this land has been the subject of an intense legal battle. Authorities allege that Venkatesh, while serving as RDO from 2013 to 2015, became deeply embroiled in this dispute. His alleged act of arson occurred while he was on leave, following his transfer to Kurnool, suggesting a pre-meditated move to obstruct justice.

Further complicating matters, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has been simultaneously conducting a thorough investigation into a disproportionate assets case against Venkatesh.

The alleged destruction of revenue records is seen as a direct attempt to undermine both the property dispute resolution and the ongoing corruption probe, raising serious questions about integrity within the administrative framework.

Legal proceedings against Venkatesh and twelve other individuals are robust, with a case (CR No.

37/2015) registered under various stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code. These include criminal conspiracy (Section 120B), forgery for the purpose of cheating (Section 468), forgery of valuable security (Section 471), and critically, causing disappearance of evidence of offence (Section 201). The charges highlight the multifaceted nature of the alleged wrongdoing.

The Kadiri JMFC court had previously issued a non-bailable warrant against Venkatesh, demonstrating the judicial system's determination to bring all implicated parties to account.

Among the other accused are P. Vengala Reddy, another former RDO, and P. Ramanjaiah, a surveyor, indicating a wider nexus of alleged collusion in the scheme to manipulate official records and subvert legal processes.

It is worth noting that Venkatesh's career has been marred by controversy previously.

In 2016, he was suspended from service for violating established service rules, an incident that now appears to be a precursor to the far more severe allegations he currently confronts. The ongoing investigation is expected to shed more light on the full extent of the alleged malpractices and the roles of all involved, as the authorities seek to ensure accountability and restore faith in the system.