Hyderabad: Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau officials caught Sangareddy District Intermediate Education Officer Ramavath Govind Ram in an ACB bribe trap on Wednesday while allegedly accepting Rs 20,000.
The ACB said the officer had demanded Rs 50,000 from the complainant for an official favour. He had allegedly accepted Rs 30,000 earlier and received the remaining Rs 20,000 during the trap.
Officials caught Govind Ram at his office at about 1.20 pm on September 9. The ACB recovered the tainted Rs 20,000 from his possession. The alleged bribe related to Vikas Vocational Junior College in Sangareddy, which belonged to the complainant.
ACB bribe trap linked to college affiliation
According to the ACB, Govind Ram sought the money to conduct an inspection and submit a report concerning the college. The report was required for an extension of provisional affiliation for renewal of Vikas Vocational Junior College.
The agency alleged that the officer initially demanded Rs 50,000 for carrying out the official work. Subsequently, he allegedly received Rs 30,000 as part of the demanded bribe.
The ACB bribe trap was conducted when the officer allegedly demanded and accepted the remaining Rs 20,000. The bureau alleged that Govind Ram had performed his public duty improperly and dishonestly to obtain an undue advantage.
Following the trap, the ACB initiated his arrest and production before the II Additional Special Judge for Trial of SPE and ACB Cases in Hyderabad. The case remained under investigation. Meanwhile, the bureau withheld the complainant’s identity and other details for security reasons.
ACB bribe trap followed by public advisory
The ACB also asked people to report demands for bribes by public servants through its toll-free number 1064. Additionally, the agency said complaints could be made through its WhatsApp and social media channels.
The bureau said its QR code was displayed at government offices and prominent public places to help citizens contact the agency. It also assured complainants that their names and details would remain confidential.