Kandi Srinivasa Reddy: The Controversial Indian American Linked to H-1B Lottery Rigging and Telangana Congress Politics

Who is Kandi Srinivasa Reddy?
Kandi Srinivasa Reddy is an Indian American businessman and a political figure associated with the Indian National Congress. He has recently garnered significant attention due to his alleged involvement in the manipulation of the H-1B visa lottery system in the United States, a controversy that has raised questions about his business practices and his political ambitions. He was also a Congress candidate from the Adilabad assembly constituency in Telangana, India, a position that highlights his growing influence both in politics and business.
Kandi Srinivasa Reddy’s Alleged Involvement in the H-1B Lottery Rigging Scam
Reddy, who operates businesses in both India and the U.S., has become a central figure in a scheme designed to exploit the H-1B visa lottery system. The H-1B visa, which allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialized fields like IT and engineering, is known for its competitive and random selection process. However, an in-depth investigation by Bloomberg has revealed that Reddy allegedly manipulated this process using a tactic known as “multiple registration.”
Multiple registration involves submitting numerous applications for the same individual under different company names. This increases the odds of that individual being selected in the lottery, giving them an unfair advantage over those who apply legitimately. According to the Bloomberg investigation, Reddy controlled several companies, including Cloud Big Data Technologies LLC and Machine Learning Technologies LLC. These companies were allegedly used to submit thousands of fraudulent applications, leading to the issuance of hundreds of H-1B visas for individuals who might not have otherwise been selected.
From 2020 to 2023, Reddy’s companies reportedly secured more than 300 H-1B visas, with a notable peak of 54 visas in a single year, far exceeding the numbers from previous years. This mass manipulation not only disrupted the integrity of the H-1B lottery but also harmed companies that followed the proper legal channels.
Legal and Ethical Concerns
Reddy’s defense, through his lawyer Lucas Garritson, argues that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) did not follow the proper procedures to prohibit such activities and lacks concrete evidence that Reddy’s companies breached any rules. However, the reported data from Bloomberg paints a troubling picture of systemic exploitation, particularly in the context of staffing firms where the median salary for Reddy’s recruits was lower than that of those employed by regular U.S. businesses. Staffing firms are accused of contributing to the manipulation by submitting inflated applications for individuals at lower wage rates, undermining the purpose of the H-1B program, which was intended to bring in highly skilled workers at competitive salaries.
Kandi Srinivasa Reddy and His Political Aspirations
Beyond his business dealings, Kandi Srinivasa Reddy is also a political figure in Telangana, India. He was a Congress candidate for the Adilabad assembly seat, aligning himself with the Indian National Congress. In addition to his business interests, he has made efforts to support farmers through his foundation, which focuses on agricultural development in the region. His political aspirations have been tied to his prominence in the U.S. as well as his business acumen.
Despite Reddy’s claims of minimal involvement in the companies linked to the H-1B scam, evidence suggests otherwise. Documents filed with U.S. business registries and Indian election officials point to his direct or indirect control over the companies. Reddy has stated that he was only a registered agent for the businesses involved in the visa lottery manipulation, but the documents suggest a more substantial role. This contradiction between his public statements and business records has fueled skepticism about his integrity and motivations.
The Impact on Reddy’s Reputation
Kandi Srinivasa Reddy’s involvement in the H-1B lottery rigging scam has raised serious questions about his character and professional ethics. The manipulation of the H-1B system not only damages the credibility of the visa program but also affects the opportunities for genuine foreign talent hoping to work in the U.S. in specialized roles.
For Reddy, the scandal has the potential to tarnish his political career as well, especially considering his aspirations in Indian politics. As a Congress candidate, his actions in the U.S. are likely to become a point of contention for his political rivals, who may use his alleged involvement in the visa fraud as evidence of corruption and unethical behavior.
Conclusion
Kandi Srinivasa Reddy’s dual role as an Indian American businessman and a Congress candidate from Telangana places him in the spotlight, not just for his business ventures but also for the serious allegations surrounding his involvement in the H-1B lottery rigging scam. While he maintains his innocence and argues that proper procedures were not followed in the investigation, the evidence gathered points to a calculated manipulation of the U.S. immigration system. As both his business and political careers unfold, Reddy’s actions will likely continue to stir controversy and raise important questions about ethics, legality, and accountability in both the U.S. and Indian contexts.