The ACB said the inspector demanded ₹20,000 from the complainant in exchange for processing bills and handing over the cheques.
Peerzadiguda Municipal Corporation Inspector K Janaki and Subordinate Outsourcing employee R Saroja were caught by the ACB Hyderabad team. (Creative Commons)
An inspector of the Peerzadiguda Municipal Corporation in Hyderabad’s neighbouring Medchal-Malkajgiri district and her subordinate were caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe on 12 July, Wednesday, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said.
Inspector K Janaki fell into the trap laid by the ACB team, which acted on the complaint of private municipal contractor N Sriramulu.
As per the ACB officials, Janaki demanded a bribe through her junior R Saroja, who works as an office subordinate in the Outsourcing Department.
The municipal inspector demanded ₹20,000 from complainant Sriramulu in exchange for processing bills and handing over the cheques.
The complainant had supplied slippers and other items to the corporation.
A short clip — purportedly of the inspector being caught red-handed — was shared on social media.
In it, the two accused women can be seen asking Sriramulu to sit down. Meanwhile, another man comes out of the office and allegedly signals the ACB team.
Peerzadiguda muncipal corporation sanitary Inspector K. #Janaki caught red handed by #ACB while accepting 20k #bribe at her office through one outsourcing employee by name saroja from the complainant. #Telangana pic.twitter.com/ht36p3Xfst
— Arbaaz The Great (@ArbaazTheGreat1) July 12, 2023
“The accused performed their duty improperly and dishonestly to obtain undue advantage,” the ACB said.
Following routine procedures, the ACB added that both Janaki and Saroja’s hands also tested positive for phenolphthalein, a chemical that is primarily used in laboratories to determine whether a chemical is acidic or alkaline in nature.
Among other things, it is also used in many anti-corruption cases to determine if a person had handled the notes or contraband.
Phenolphthalein is a smooth white powder generally applied in small quantities on currency notes and other objects that are likely to come in contact with the hands or pockets of the target, resulting in its transfer.
The object, when washed with sodium carbonate or lime water, turns pink, immediately confirming the touching of the currency notes.
An FIR was registered against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the accused were produced before Special Judge for Special Police Establishment (SPE) and ACB Cases Court at Hyderabad.
May 05, 2024
May 05, 2024
May 04, 2024
May 04, 2024
May 04, 2024
May 04, 2024
