Ajmeera Rekha Naik booked in Rs 40.96 crore paddy case

Former Khanapur MLA Ajmeera Rekha Naik has been booked by the Khanapur police following allegations of misappropriating government paddy worth approximately Rs 40.96 crore. Naik, the proprietor of ARS Industries, is accused of failing to deliver the required quantity of custom-milled rice (CMR) to the government under agreements spanning the Rabi seasons of 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25.

A complaint filed by the Nirmal District Manager of the Telangana State Civil Supplies Corporation revealed a shortage of 9,639.962 metric tonnes of paddy during physical verifications. Officials noted that while significant quantities of paddy were allotted to the mill, the corresponding rice was not delivered, and the original paddy was missing from the premises and godowns.

Naik faces charges including cheating and violations of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The investigation follows a period during which Naik and her husband transitioned from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to the Congress party.