Vizag Court Hands Down 12-Year Sentence in Major Navy Job Scam Case
A court in Gajuwaka, Visakhapatnam, delivered a stern verdict on Monday, sentencing 45-year-old Gadi Satya Surya Chalapathi Rao to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment for a long-running impersonation and cheating racket. The accused, who operated under multiple aliases including Sasikanth and Srikanth, was found guilty of posing as a naval officer to defraud youth with false promises of employment in the Indian Navy.
Financial Penalties and Victim Compensation Ordered
In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a fine of ₹30,000 on Chalapathi Rao. More significantly, it directed him to pay ₹18.6 lakh as compensation to the victims he deceived over the years. This dual approach of punishment and restitution underscores the court's focus on both justice and redress for those affected by his crimes.
Decade-Long Fraud Across Multiple Cities
According to Inspector T Kamesh of the New Port police station, Chalapathi Rao's fraudulent activities spanned more than a decade, targeting job aspirants primarily in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Vijayawada, and parts of Hyderabad. His modus operandi involved collecting substantial sums ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per victim under the guise of securing naval positions.
The accused had been absconding for over three years in connection with a cheating case registered under New Port police limits before finally being apprehended in December 2025. His arrest marked the culmination of an extensive manhunt for one of the region's most persistent fraudsters.
History of Similar Offenses and Bold Attempts
Chalapathi Rao was no stranger to law enforcement, having faced multiple previous arrests in both Vizag and Vijayawada for identical cheating schemes. In a particularly audacious incident a few years ago, he was caught attempting to enter the Eastern Naval Command base in Vizag while impersonating a naval officer, with the intent to defraud Agniveer aspirants.
From Educated Professional to Career Criminal
The profile of the accused reveals a troubling descent into crime. An alumnus of a Sainik school in Odisha and a BTech graduate, Chalapathi Rao initially pursued a legitimate career as a civil engineer. However, he eventually turned to criminal activities, seeking what he perceived as easy money through deception and fraud.
Following regular trial proceedings, the court concluded the case with the comprehensive sentencing that includes both imprisonment and financial penalties. This verdict serves as a strong deterrent against such impersonation scams that exploit the aspirations of young job seekers across the country.
