Chhattisgarh: SRP Kalluri To Head SIT Probing PDS Scam

On 3 January, Kalluri was appointed the chief of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and Economic Offences Wing.

Former Bastar IG SRP Kalluri. 

(Photo: Kamran Akhter/The Quint)

The Chhattisgarh government on Tuesday, 8 January named controversial police officer SRP Kalluri as the head of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) that will probe the alleged irregularities in the Public Distribution System (PDS), reported Hindustan Times.

“The 12-member SIT will be headed by SRP Kalluri, who is currently posted as IG ACB [Anti-Corruption Bureau] and will have other police officers.”

Taran Sinha, director of public relations, Chhattisgarh government

Kalluri was transferred from Bastar to the state police headquarters on 2 January last year, after allegations of human rights violations. On 3 January, 2019 the Congress government had appointed him as the chief of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and Economic Offences Wing.

The opposition expressed objection over Kalluri’s appointment as SIT chief.

BJP Sachinand Upasane said that the Congress criticised Kalluri when it was in opposition. “This shows that Congress government is trying to save someone,” he added.

“The formation of SIT in itself is not legitimate. When the case is going on in [high] court and the charge sheet has been filed, then why an SIT? Congress is doing vendetta politics.”

Raman Singh, former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh

The state government formed the SIT on 1 January to probe the PDS scam, which came to light in 2014 after the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) seized cash and documents in raids conducted in various parts of the state.

The alleged scam was unearthed in 2014. The Congress, then in the opposition, claimed that the scam was worth Rs 36,000 crore.