Crime Hyderabad

ACB nabs GHMC official for accepting Rs. 15,000 bribe

ACB nabs GHMC official

Hyderabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials arrested L. Balwanth Reddy, an Assistant Engineer of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), in Circle XI, Rajendranagar, over charges of bribery on July 5 (Friday).

According to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials, Balwanth Reddy was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs. 15,000 from Mohd. Muzaffaruddin Quadri, a Class V (Civil) Contractor. The bribe was allegedly demanded to expedite the processing of a bill for completed work.

The ACB recovered the bribe money of Rs. 15,000 from Reddy’s possession. A chemical test conducted on his hands confirmed contact with the bribe money.

The ACB officials have accused Reddy of performing his duties improperly and dishonestly to obtain undue advantage. He has been arrested and will be presented before the Hon’ble I Addl. Special Judge for SPE and ACB Cases in Hyderabad.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials encourage the public to report any demands for bribes by public servants by calling their toll-free number: 1064.

It was learned that recently, Inspector of Police Akula Venkatesham at Suraram Police Station under Cyberabad Commissionerate, was caught redhandedly by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Rangareddy Unit. The arrest took place on June 21, 2024, at 6.15 p.m., following allegations of corruption.

The ACBโ€™s action came after Ratnakaram Sai Raju, a resident of Gajularamaram Village, Quthbullapur Mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri District, filed a complaint against Inspector Venkatesham.

The complaint accused the officer of demanding a bribe amounting to Rs 5,00,000 for facilitating development work on Rajuโ€™s land. It was reported that Venkatesham had already accepted Rs 1,00,000 as a partial payment of the bribe.

Further investigations revealed that Inspector Venkatesham had previously accepted Rs 2,00,000 from the complainant as a bribe to refrain from initiating criminal proceedings against Raju. Evidence collected during the investigation included the recovery of the bribe money from Venkatesham and the positive chemical testing of items such as a bed sheet and pillow cover from his residence.

Inspector Venkatesham was promptly arrested and is being presented before the First Additional Special Judge for Special Enforcement (SPE) and ACB Cases at Nampally, Hyderabad. The case remains under investigation by the authorities.