The Principal Special Judge for CBI Cases, Visakhapatnam, has sentenced Sri Botsa Peda Rama Rao, a former Sub Postmaster at Uttaravilli Sub Post Office in Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, to five years of imprisonment along with a fine of ₹37.12 lakh in a case involving fraudulent distribution of MGNREGS wages and misappropriation of public funds.
The CBI registered the case on May 23, 2016, against Botsa Peda Rama Rao based on allegations of financial misconduct during his tenure as Sub Postmaster at Donkinavalasa and Uttaravilli Sub Post Offices in Parvathipuram Division. Investigations revealed that between July 11, 2010, and October 12, 2015, he dishonestly forged and falsified branch office daily accounts related to wage distribution under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
The accused fraudulently claimed ₹41,10,307 for MGNREGS wage disbursement, while the actual distribution amounted to only ₹4,10,307. This manipulation occurred in 16 instances between 2013 and 2015 across multiple branch post offices, including Palteru, Golladi, Mallampeta, Badangi, Akulakatta, Kunayavalasa, Nandigam, and Rejeru. As a result, he misappropriated ₹37 lakh, causing significant financial loss to the Postal Department, the Government of Andhra Pradesh, and the Government of India while personally benefiting from the embezzled funds.
Upon completing the investigation, the CBI filed three separate chargesheets against him on November 1, 2016, and January 18, 2017.
Following a trial, the court found him guilty and sentenced him accordingly.