In a significant move against administrative malpractice, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Telangana arrested a Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) in Narayanpet district for allegedly soliciting and accepting a bribe. The official, identified as Ramulu, was caught red-handed by investigators during a coordinated sting operation on Tuesday.
Details of the Bribery Allegation
According to investigative reports, Ramulu had allegedly demanded a sum of ₹50,000 from a local complainant to process a specific land-related file. The transaction was reportedly a prerequisite for the official to discharge his legal duties. After negotiations, the official allegedly agreed to accept an initial installment of ₹25,000 to move the file forward.
The complainant, unwilling to participate in the corrupt demand, approached the ACB and filed a formal grievance. This prompted the enforcement agency to set a trap at the officer’s workplace to catch him in the act of accepting the illegal gratification.
The ACB Raid and Discovery
On Tuesday afternoon, ACB personnel moved in as the marked currency notes were being handed over. “The RDO was intercepted while accepting the bribe amount of ₹25,000 at his office. The recovery of the amount was made from his possession, and chemical tests performed on his hands yielded a positive result,” an ACB official stated during the post-arrest briefing.
Following the immediate apprehension, searches were conducted at the official’s residence and office to determine if there were further links to illicit assets or other ongoing corrupt practices. Documents related to the land dispute in question were seized as part of the evidence-gathering process.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
Ramulu has been booked under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He was produced before a special court for ACB cases, where he was remanded to judicial custody. This arrest follows a series of recent crackdowns by the Telangana ACB aimed at purging corruption from the revenue department, which has frequently been under scrutiny regarding land registration and clearance processes.
Authorities have urged the public to report any demands for bribes by government officials, emphasizing that anonymity will be maintained for whistleblowers in their effort to foster a transparent administration.
