Hyderabad: Farmers from Urugonda village in Damera mandal gathered at the Hanamkonda collectorate on Saturday to mark the arrest of the Hanamkonda Additional Collector A Venkat Reddy. They said the action offered relief because he stalled their compensation for land taken for a Greenfield Highway.
ACB teams caught Venkat Reddy on Friday while he served as the in-charge district educational officer. Officials stated that he demanded a ₹60,000 bribe for renewing a private school in Hanamkonda. Two education department staff members also faced detention in the case.
Farmers cite a history of allegations against Hanamkonda Additional Collector
The group arrived at a rally, carrying a flex banner with his photograph. They burst firecrackers and handed out sweets to celebrate the arrest of the Hanamkonda Additional Collector. Villagers said he ignored clear directions from the district Collector and Greenfield Highway authorities to process compensation and pressed them for money instead.
They recalled his 2008 suspension as the RDO of Nalgonda on charges of holding assets beyond his income. Farmers also mentioned later corruption allegations during his tenure as the RDO of Jangaon.
The group demanded his removal from government service along with the seizure of assets they believe were acquired illegally. Their celebration later drew discussion in political and official circles.