CBI court sentences SBI computer operator in Hyderabad to two years' RI, fines Rs 36,000 in bank fraud case

New Delhi [India], November 1 (ANI): The CBI Court, Hyderabad, Telangana, has convicted and sentenced V Chalapathi Rao, a Computer Operator at SBI, Chandulal Baradari Branch, Hyderabad, Telangana, to two years' Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) with a fine of Rs 36,000 in a bank fraud case.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the instant case on 01.05.2002 against Rao and three others on allegations that during 1996-2000, the accused VChalapathi Rao entered into criminal conspiracy with PP Krishna Rao, the then Branch Manager, SBI, Chandulal Baradari Branch, Hyderabad and two private accused Viraja, W/o the accused Chalapathi Rao and Kaleem Pasha and obtained pecuniary gain in the matter of sanction and release of Big Buy Loans based on false and fictitious documents to the tune of Rs. 50 lakhs.
Upon completion of the investigation, three charge sheets were filed on 31 December 2004.
Rao had been absconding since 2005, the cases against him were split up under separate CC Nos. 08/2006 and 09/2006. The cases against the other accused persons were disposed of earlier.
After meticulous efforts, Rao was traced in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, and apprehended on 04-08-2024 while attempting to flee the country under a different name.
Conducting a speedy trial, the Court convicted and sentenced the accused on 31 October 2025.
Earlier in the day, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials on Saturday began the second day of investigation at the incident site in Karur's Veluchamipuram, in Tamil Nadu.
Using a 3D laser scanner device, a team of 10 CBI officials started measurement and mapping work for the second consecutive day.
On Friday, measurement work was carried out over a 300-meter stretch in the Veluchamipuram area using the same 3D laser scanner device.
A team of senior officials from the CBI returned to Karur on Friday to intensify the ongoing probe into the tragic stampede that claimed 41 lives during a public meeting of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Chief Vijay. The team arrived in two vehicles, comprising six senior officers.
The stampede took place on October 27 at Veluchamipuram in Karur during a public interaction event attended by Vijay. Following the incident, CBI officials conducted an initial two-day inquiry that began on October 17. They had then temporarily returned to their respective stations on October 19, ahead of the Deepavali festival.
Since October 21, Inspector Manokaran and a head constable have been stationed at the Public Works Department (PWD) Guest House in Karur, where they have continued translation and documentation work related to the case. With the return of the six-member senior CBI team, the investigation has now entered its second phase. Sources indicate that the probe will be intensified in the coming days. (ANI)