Absconding Former Kerala Agricultural Officer Arrested in Bengaluru in Corruption Case

Venkiteswara Babu, a former agricultural officer from Agali, Palakkad, was arrested in Bengaluru by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau after absconding for years. Convicted in 2016 for misappropriating compensation funds meant for farmers affected by natural calamities, he was sentenced to three years' rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 10,000. Despite challenging the verdict, his appeal was dismissed, and he failed to surrender, leading to his arrest. He will be produced before the Thrissur Vigilance Court.