Telangana hockey chief ‘Bangaru Babu’ held with gold worth Rs 2.3 crore; 1.4 kg seized at Delhi airport

HYDERABAD: Income tax officials intercepted president of Telangana Hockey Association, Konda Vijay Kumar, also known as ‘Bangaru Babu' (Goldman), travelling with nearly 2 kg of gold, and seized 1.4 kg of gold ornaments after he failed to explain the source of funding for the gold. The gold ornaments worth around Rs 2.3 crore were seized from Vijay Kumar on Thursday evening when he was travelling from Hyderabad to Delhi to attend a sports event. Vijay Kumar was wearing the gold when he was stopped with the assistance of CISF personnel. Vijay Kumar is also a member of the Telangana Olympic Association. According to sources, the gold was seized at Delhi airport, where officials conducted prolonged questioning, collected details of his assets and examined his financial records as part of a tax compliance probe. After extended questioning, he was allowed to attend the event in Delhi but was directed to appear before the income tax department. Sources said Vijay Kumar was carrying close to 2 kg, but 1.4 kg of gold was seized after he could not provide a satisfactory explanation. Officials said the seizure followed his inability to explain the source of funds during interception. The final outcome, including the status of the seized gold, will depend on the findings of the investigation and subsequent tax assessment, sources said. Officials are gathering details of his movable and immovable assets. According to Vijay Kumar's statement, part of the gold was released after he produced bills on the spot. He maintained that his income and work are fully documented and said that he would appear before the department as directed. A resident of Chandanagar, Vijay Kumar also runs a voluntary organisation, Hope Foundation. Speaking to the media, Vijay Kumar said, "They seized six gold articles and then released three of them as I produced bills immediately. CISF personnel stopped me due to the election season. In Hyderabad, I declared the gold." He further said, "I attended the function on Friday. I was not detained. I have been running Hope Foundation since 2016. I do not accept donations." He added he would submit bills for the remaining items.