Welfare assistant goes missing after losing pension funds in online betting; appears in a video, confesses wrongdoing

GUNTUR: Lakshmi Prasad, a welfare assistant from Dachepalli Municipality, who went missing on March 1 along with Rs 8.43 lakh in pension funds, has surfaced in a video pleading for an opportunity to return the stolen money.

In the video, posted on his social media accounts, Prasad appeared with his wife and children, admitted his wrongdoing, and apologised to the municipal commissioner and officials. He revealed that he had lost the pension funds in online betting and was contemplating suicide. “I realise my mistake. Please give me a month to return the money,” he pleaded, requesting officials not to take action against him.