ACB traps in-charge RI

Warangal: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) sleuths on Tuesday trapped a bill collector, currently acting as in-charge revenue inspector at Narsampet Nagara Panchayat. According to the ACB Warangal zone Deputy Director, T Sudarshan, the accused official identified as M Murali was caught while accepting an amount of Rs 10,000 as bribe to issue house ownership certificate to the complainant.

The complainant, Jadala Venkateshwarlu, a resident of Aravind Theatre area in the town, informed that he had applied for house ownership certificate sometime back. Despite visiting the office several times, the officials concerned not issued the certificate.

Murali, who was made in-charge revenue inspector (RI) recently, told the complainant that he would issue the certificate if Rs 30,000 paid to him. Venkateshwarlu agreed to pay Rs 10,000 and informed the matter to ACB officials.

On Tuesday, the complainant told the in-charge RI that he would come to his office to pay the amount to which the latter told Venkateshwarlu that he would come to his house to collect the amount. Following which, the ACB officials led by Sudarshan and DSP Kiran Kumar laid a trap and nabbed the in-charge RI while receiving the bribe.

According to the sources, the accused official earlier worked at Narsampet Nagara Panchayat and was transferred three years ago following corruption charges. But he managed to get the posting back at Narsampet six months ago with the help of local ruling party leaders.

Murali, who first served as pump driver, was able to become bill collector and then made in-charge revenue inspector by superseding several senior employees at the Nagara Panchayat as he offered bribes to the higher officials, added the sources.

The amount Rs 10,000 and a mobile phone seized from the accused and he would be produced before the ACB court in Hyderabad, informed Sudarshan.