Puttaparthi — The Sri Sathya Sai district police have arrested Morimi Shetty Suresh, better known as Dal Mill Suri, the alleged mastermind of a massive ₹300-crore scam that spanned five Indian States and left hundreds of farmers and traders defrauded.
Suresh, 53, a native of Kottacheruvu village, was apprehended in Warangal, Telangana, following a special operation after remaining underground for more than six months. His arrest marks the culmination of one of Andhra Pradesh’s biggest inter-state fraud investigations in recent years.
Superintendent of Police S. Satish Kumar, addressing reporters in Puttaparthi, said the accused posed as a grain and pulses trader, promising high returns and advance payments to lure victims. He collected both produce and cash, defaulting on every deal.
57 Cases Across Five States
The investigation revealed that Suri and his associates set up multiple shell companies to carry out fraudulent transactions across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
So far, 57 criminal cases have been registered — 26 in Sri Sathya Sai district, another 26 across Andhra Pradesh, and the rest in neighbouring States. The charges range from criminal breach of trust and cheating to violations under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
“The accused systematically exploited farmers and small traders using a network of fake firms. We are now identifying his assets and tracing the money trail,” said SP Satish Kumar.
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Organised Crime and Preventive Detention
Given the scale and organised nature of the operation, police have invoked the Organised Crime Act and detained Suresh under the Preventive Detention (PD) Act.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court had earlier dismissed his plea challenging the detention, clearing the way for enforcement agencies to take tougher action. Authorities are now preparing to seize his properties and dismantle the financial web that supported his operations.
Police officials said that Suresh also faces cases involving white-collar offences and land disputes, suggesting a long history of fraudulent conduct.
Widening Investigation
The crackdown has expanded to track Suri’s accomplices and financial facilitators across States. Investigators believe he used layered banking channels and benami accounts to launder the proceeds of fraud.
Authorities are coordinating with enforcement agencies in multiple States to ensure asset tracing and restitution for victims — many of whom are marginal farmers who lost their entire harvests.
“This arrest sends a clear message: interstate financial fraud will not go unchecked,” SP Satish Kumar said.
