Hyderabad: Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau officials on Thursday caught Gram Palana Officer Kampeti Srinivas allegedly accepting a Rs 20,000 bribe from a complainant in Karimnagar district. The ACB’s Karimnagar Unit trapped Srinivas at the Tahsildar’s office in Shankarapatnam at about 5.47 pm.
Srinivas, 44, worked as Gram Palana Officer at Molangur village under the control of the Shankarapatnam Mandal Tahsildar. The ACB alleged that the Gram Palana Officer bribe was demanded for an official favour involving the complainant’s land.
According to the bureau, Srinivas had to submit a field survey report prepared by him for registration of the complainant’s land. The process also involved issuance of a Pattadar Pass Book to the complainant.
Gram Palana Officer bribe allegedly rose to Rs 20,000
The ACB said Srinivas initially demanded Rs 15,000 from the complainant. However, on August 20, he allegedly demanded another Rs 5,000. Consequently, the total alleged bribe demand increased to Rs 20,000.
The complainant then arranged the additional amount and offered the entire Rs 20,000 to the officer, the ACB said. Officials executed the trap when Srinivas allegedly accepted the money.
The ACB said it recovered the tainted bribe amount of Rs 20,000 from the officer’s possession at the instance of the complainant. Investigators also conducted a chemical test as part of the trap proceedings.
According to the ACB, the fingers of Srinivas’ left hand tested positive. The left-side back pocket of his trousers also yielded a positive result during the chemical test. The bureau alleged that Srinivas had demanded and accepted illegal gratification by misusing his official position for undue advantage.
Gram Palana Officer bribe case under investigation
Following the trap, the ACB said it was taking Srinivas into custody and arresting him. Officials said he would be produced before the Special Judge for SPE and ACB Cases at Karimnagar.
The investigation into the case was continuing. The bureau withheld the complainant’s identity and other details for security reasons.
The ACB also appealed to citizens to report bribe demands made by public servants. People could contact the bureau through its toll-free helpline 1064 for action under the law.
The Telangana ACB also received complaints through WhatsApp at 9440446106. Citizens could additionally approach the agency through its Telangana ACB Facebook presence and X account, @TelanganaACB.
The bureau assured that the names and details of victims and complainants would remain confidential.