ACB trap case: Bail denied to GHMC junior assistant accused of seeking Rs 5 lakh bribe
HYDERABAD: The Special Court for SPE and ACB Cases in Hyderabad has denied bail to Baini Srilatha, a Junior Assistant at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Borabanda Circle-37, Khairatabad Zone, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Srilatha in a trap operation for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe to process a building permission. The Special Judge delivered the order. Srilatha has been in judicial remand since May 5, 2026.
According to the police, Srilatha allegedly demanded Rs 5,00,000 from the complainant as illegal gratification to expedite the issuance of his building permission. She said she would manage the entire process, from the initial application via the Mee Seva portal to final approval. When Venkatesh refused to pay, he submitted a complaint to the ACB.
After receiving the complaint, ACB officials organised a trap and caught Srilatha with Rs 1,00,000, the first instalment of the alleged bribe. A Phenolphthalein test during the trap was positive, showing she handled the treated currency. Investigators also submitted audio and video recordings of the alleged bribe demand and acceptance as evidence in court.
On the other hand, Srilatha’s defence counsel argued for bail. The defence claimed she was falsely implicated and was not the sole competent authority for granting building permissions. They pointed out that the tainted currency notes and other material evidence were already seized by the ACB. The defence contended that further custodial interrogation was unnecessary and her continued detention was unjustified.
Furthermore, defence counsel submitted that Srilatha had no prior criminal antecedents, maintained a permanent place of residence, and was willing to cooperate with the investigation. The defence also argued she posed no risk of absconding and requested that bail be granted.
However, Special Public Prosecutor C. Nirmala, representing the ACB, opposed bail. She said the investigation was ongoing and key statements and documents were yet to be collected. Nirmala argued that several witnesses were Srilatha’s colleagues and could be influenced or threatened if Srilatha was released. As a government employee with access to the case, Srilatha, if released, could affect the investigation. The prosecutor asked the court to dismiss the bail application.
After hearing both sides and reviewing the evidence, the court found strong initial allegations against Srilatha. The positive Phenolphthalein test, seized currency, and audio-visual evidence supported the prosecution’s case. The court took the allegations and investigation stage seriously. It found the risk of witness tampering credible. The judge ruled that this was not the right time to grant bail and dismissed the petition.
