Telangana ACB Catches Forest Officials Taking Rs.3.5 Lakh Bribe in Trap Operation
Telangana ACB officials caught two Bhadrachalam forest officials allegedly accepting a Rs.3.5 lakh bribe linked to a road project in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
Anti-Corruption Bureau officials of the Khammam Range on Thursday caught two forest officials of Bhadrachalam red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs.3.5 lakh from a contractor. The accused officials were identified as Santhapuri Sujatha and Bhukya Krishna. Both officials were arrested and are being produced before the Special Judge for SPE and ACB Cases in Warangal.
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ACB Trap Conducted at Forest Divisional Office in Bhadrachalam
According to Anti-Corruption Bureau officials, the accused were identified as:
- Santhapuri Sujatha (A1), Forest Divisional Officer (FDO), Bhadrachalam
- Bhukya Krishna (A2), Deputy Range Officer (DRO), Tegada, who was also holding additional charge as Forest Range Officer of Charla in Bhadradri Kothagudem district
The Anti-Corruption Bureau conducted the trap operation at the Forest Divisional Office in Bhadrachalam.
During the operation, tainted cash amounting to Rs.3.5 lakh was recovered from Bhukya Krishna at his instance.
Bribe Allegedly Demanded Over Road Work Case
According to ACB officials, the accused allegedly demanded the bribe from a complainant in exchange for not registering cases related to alleged damage to forest trees.
The alleged forest damage reportedly occurred during the laying of a 2-km BT road from Pusuguppa village in Charla mandal to the Chhattisgarh border.
Officials stated that the road work was completed in 2025.
The accused also allegedly assured the complainant that they would not interfere in his present and future works.
Initial Demand Was Rs.10 Lakh
According to the investigation, the accused initially allegedly demanded Rs.10 lakh from the complainant.
However, after negotiations, the amount was allegedly reduced to Rs.3.5 lakh.
The identity of the complainant has been withheld by officials for security reasons.
Officials Arrested, Investigation Underway
Both accused officials were arrested following the trap operation.
They are being produced before the Special Judge for SPE and ACB Cases in Warangal.
The case is currently under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Anti-Corruption Bureau Telangana officials caught Bhadrachalam forest officials Santhapuri Sujatha and Bhukya Krishna allegedly accepting a Rs.3.5 lakh bribe from a contractor in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. The bribe was allegedly demanded to avoid registering cases related to forest tree damage during a 2-km BT road project from Pusuguppa village to the Chhattisgarh border. Both officials were arrested and the case remains under investigation.
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