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ACB widens probe into assets of tainted revenue officials
In Short
- ACB intensifies probe into revenue officials’ assets
- Abdullapurmet tahsildar and surveyor accused in Rs 20-lakh bribery case
- Keesara revenue officials under scrutiny over alleged Rs 5-lakh bribe
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ACB widens probe into assets of tainted revenue officials
Hyderabad: Days after Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials caught revenue officers in Abdullapurmet and Keesara for allegedly accepting bribes, including Rs 20 lakh in Abdullapurmet and Rs 5 lakh in Keesara, the agency has intensified its investigation into the assets allegedly amassed by the officials in violation of rules and regulations.
Sources in the ACB said the agency had received several complaints alleging that revenue officials posted in offices outside the Outer Ring Road (ORR) limits were demanding bribes from landowners, including owners of agricultural properties. In several cases, the officials allegedly cited technical errors in land records to demand higher bribes.
In the Abdullapurmet case, ACB officials caught Mandal Tahsildar B Sudershan Reddy and Mandal Surveyor Batuka Srinivasulu while they were allegedly accepting a Rs 20 lakh bribe in return for official favour. The amount was reportedly paid in cash in Rs 500 denominations.
The tahsildar and surveyor had jointly inspected the property and prepared a report in favour of the landowner. The officials allegedly demanded Rs 20 lakh for the favour.
“The revenue officials took advantage of technical issues concerning agricultural properties and allegedly demanded higher bribes as land prices increased. In Abdullapurmet, the officials initially assessed the land, worth crores of rupees, and demanded a Rs 30 lakh bribe based on its value. The amount was later reduced to Rs 20 lakh, with the officials asking for payment in cash,” sources said.
Taking serious note of the alleged bribery, the ACB has formed a team led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank officer to investigate the assets allegedly amassed by the accused officials and examine their financial transactions. The agency is also scrutinising bank accounts held by the accused and their family members.
The ACB is further verifying the sources of income of a deputy tahsildar and a Village Revenue Officer (VRO) of Keesara mandal in connection with the alleged acceptance of a Rs 5 lakh bribe. The agency is examining the accused officials’ bank accounts, investments and other financial details to determine whether further action is warranted.
