ACB traps Bhadradri Kothagudem forest officials while accepting ₹3.5 lakh bribe
HYDERABAD: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Wednesday caught two forest officials of Bhadradri Kothagudem district while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹3.5 lakh from a complainant at the Forest Divisional Office in Bhadrachalam.
The accused were identified as S Santhapuri Sujatha, Forest Divisional Officer (FDO), Bhadrachalam, and Shukya Krishna, Deputy Range Officer of Tegada and in-charge Forest Range Officer of Charla.
According to the ACB, the officials allegedly demanded the bribe in return for not registering cases against the complainant over alleged damage to forest trees during road-laying works from Pusuguppa village in Charla mandal to the Chhattisgarh border.
Bribe linked to road work near Chhattisgarh border
The ACB said the road work was completed in 2025 and the officials had allegedly assured the complainant that they would not interfere in his present and future works.
Officials said the accused initially demanded ₹10 lakh and later reduced the amount to ₹3.5 lakh following requests from the complainant.
The tainted cash was reportedly recovered from Deputy Range Officer Shukya Krishna at his instance.
Officials arrested, produced before special court
The ACB said both officials were arrested and would be produced before the Special Judge for SPE and ACB Cases in Warangal.
“The accused officers performed their official duties improperly and dishonestly to obtain undue advantage,” the ACB said in a statement.
The agency said the identity of the complainant was being withheld for security reasons. Investigation is under way.
The ACB appealed to the public to report demands for bribes through its toll-free number 1064 or via WhatsApp at 9440606100 and its social media platforms.
