Telangana cop caught in fake seed racket, took Rs 100 per kg cut

A Sub-Inspector posted in the Special Branch in Telangana's Mulugu district has been arrested for allegedly facilitating the sale of spurious cotton seeds worth around 20 lakh in Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district in exchange for a commission of 100 per kilogram, police said.The accused, Segyam Venkatesh, was arrested from his residence on October 12 and produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody, according to Asifabad Superintendent of Police Nithika Pant.Police investigations revealed that Venkatesh helped Sheikh Salman, a resident of Bheemini, connect with A Venugopal Reddy, a trader from Rajanna Sircilla district, to facilitate the illegal trade in fake cotton seeds. The alleged arrangement was made during the previous cotton season, with the Sub-Inspector reportedly promised a commission of 100 for every kilogram sold.According to police, Venugopal Reddy supplied approximately 40 quintals (4,000 kg) of spurious cotton seeds, valued at around 20 lakh, to Salman in three consignments with Venkatesh's alleged indirect assistance. Of the total quantity, around 35 quintals were reportedly sold through intermediaries, while the remaining five quintals were stored at a poultry farm in Nennel mandal. The racket came to light on August 11, when police and agriculture department officials intercepted a car in Asifabad and seized around two quintals of suspected fake cotton seeds packed in four bags.Salman and Venugopal Reddy, who were transporting the seeds, were arrested and remanded to judicial custody. During their interrogation, the two accused reportedly disclosed Venkatesh's alleged involvement. Investigators subsequently examined their statements, call detail records and other evidence before naming the SI as the third accused in the case.Police said Venkatesh had earlier served as a task force Sub-Inspector in the district, during which he came into contact with Salman in connection with a previous spurious seed case.He was transferred to Mulugu district in February 2026 and was serving in its Special Branch at the time of his arrest.- Ends